May 1998

I I I r I, r, I LT- .^4r^ fc *¦4* ¦J, Fa >, 'is y > w4l •», yr.’ •A ¦f: L-<; ? y, k k The Hataria collectionMay 1998 Volume 20 Number 9 EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz S. Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz M. Gandhi SENIOR EDITORS Dina K. Mehta, Hilla P. Guzder ASSOCIATE EDITOR Roxana A. Driver DESIGN Kranti M. Shilotri, Nivedita S. Dhotre MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Mistry ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Susan Hadvaid FINANCE B. L. Arora MANAGEMENT Jasmine Driver DTP Bakhtavar R. Batliwalla, K. P. Ravi SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Khurshid Panthaki ASSISTANT SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Swarupa Kamat ACCOUNTANT Anagha Korde ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT Varsha Godbole ACCOUNTS ASSISTANTS Indu Pillai, Satwant Kaur OFFICE ASSISTANTS Umesh Poojary, Selvan Mark, Sunil Sakhare, Govind Salgaonkar, Mahipat Jadhav 2 Readers’ Forum 12 Events and Personalities 18 Zoroastrians Abroad: Dolly Dastoor and Binaifer Nowrojee 22 The farm and the fortune by Danesh Kalyaniwala 29 Pars! adoption not legal by Parinaz Gandhi 30 Parsi Heritage Trail: A walk through the past by Arnavaz Mama 34 19th century Gujarat Parsis: Near and yet apart -1 46 Milestones Cover: Centerpiece among the Hataria collection of porcelaine and glass artefacts Photograph: Arnavaz Mama t Parsiana is edited and 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. Processing Comart Lithographers and Tricolour. All rights reserved. ISSN: 0971-3786. Phone; 2078730, 2072624. Fax: 2074541. For editorial enquiries: 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 275; for two years (20 issues) Rs 525; for three years (30 issues) Rs 775. Foreign subscription rates: Seamail for one year Rs 500/ US $ 14/UK £ 9; for two years Rs 950/US $ 25/UK £ 15; for three years Rs 1,400/US $ 36/UK £ 22 (please allow six months or more for delivery from the time of publication). Airmail for one year Rs 800/ US $ 23/UK £ 15 (for Pakistan, Indian Rs 575); for two years, Rs 1,500/US $ 43/UK £ 27 (for Pakistan, Indian Rs 1,075); for three years Rs 2,250/US $ 60/UK £ 37 (for Pakistan, Indian Rs 1,600). 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 100 » •»* * I?" O: ix' Ha VW I Readers’ views are welcome on any subject of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400001. Letters are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. Unsigned letters or those without an address will not be published. G.P.O. Odyssey - 2001 Wc are very pleased to infonn you that the Seventh World Zoroastrian Congress (WZC 2000) is being sponsored by the testimony of your commitment to join Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) and hosted by the Zoroastrian Association of Hous ­ ton (ZAH) from December 28, 2000 to January 1, 2001. The theme of the Con­ gress is 2001 - A Zarathushti Odyssey. Both FEZANA and the ZAH have jointly appointed Dolly Dastoor and Homi M. Davier co-chairs to lead the Congress. Our aim is to celebrate our 3,000- year-old history and to commemorate Zarathushti contributions to the evolu ­ tion of world religious thought, and to the development of the world of fine arts, visual arts, music, dance, sports, cinematography, literature, business and science. As we want the WZC 2000 to be a true Zarathushti celebration to foster your write-up on Jer Dhondy and Nanabhoy Jeejeebhoy (“Jame ’s sav- our coming together, wc seek your moral and financial support and most impor ­ tantly your participation. Please mark iors, ” Events and Personalities, Par- your calendars for the dates and encour ­ age as many people of our community to attend this historic event to usher in the new millennium and a new age for the Zarathushtis of the world. Houston, in the state of Texas, is conveniently located to allow for nu ­ merous leisure excursion.s within Texa.s and vacation.s to Florida, California and Mexico. In December the weather is moderate. Every effort will be made to try and facilitate your arrival into USA and make your stay in Houston as worth ­ while as possible. In order to develop the program which is truly international in scope, wc invite the input from the world commu ­ nity on the following items: •a list of concerns which in your opin­ ion and that of your anjuman, the Zarathushti community around the world is facing today and which you think require serious, in-depth discus ­ sions as well as some relevant strategies to deal with them. •Names and addresses of talented people in the field of arts, science, literature, business, sports and music, in your com­ munity whom we can contact directly and genuine interest in their well-being, to promote their gifted talents in the celebration of the Zarathushti Odyssey. •And finally our campaign slogan for WZC 2000 is “2 for 2000,” where we request every Zarathushti around the world to contribute $2 per year until the year 2000. Your contribution will be a siana, January 1998). My family and I knew and loved these two wonderful people for the last 40 to 45 years of their lives and they were not only Jame’s saviors but saviors of a lot of Zoroastri- ans who are prosperous today — in­ cluding the writers of this letter. “Happiness to them who give happi ­ ness to others ” was the motto of Jerbanoo ’.s life. She was our godmother and when we were living in Bombay not a single day would go by without our seeing her and spending even a few minutes with her. Shq was “Jeroo mamma ” to all of us who knew and loved her. She was a lady with many talents and gifts and her greatest gift was being a wonderful human being — always caring, always helpful and al ­ ways there to lend her support. Young at heart and without any bias for the rich or poor, young or old," ’lhe would talk to everybody as though they were the most important person to her. Be it a servant asking for monetary help or a college student to be assisted, or a family look ­ ing for accommodation, all would be treated with respect and understanding us in our Zarathushli Odyssey - 2001. Please help us to achieve our goal of 2 for 2000 by sending your cheque, money order, bank draft to Sarosh Collector, Treasurer, WZC 2000, 3000 Richmond. Suite 270, Houston, Tx 77098, USA. Please contact Davier at 6654 South ­ west Freeway, Houston, Tx 77074, USA, Tel 7I3 3392222, Fax 713 3392223, e-mail Davicr5@aol.com or Dasloor al 3765 Malo, Brossard, Quebec, J4Y 1B4, Canada, Tel 5I4 6562036, 514 4624638, e-mail Dasdol@douglas.mcgill.ca HOMI M. DW'II R and DOLLY DASTOOR Congress Co-Chairs, USA saviors” Il was with great emotion that we read Jeroo mamma always shared in our joys and achievements and whenever our family was faced with any major deci­ sions or difficulties we would turn to her for support. We knew we could always count on her wisdom and judgment to give us sound advice. She was a true matriarch of her family and is being missed by all her children, grandchil ­ dren, brothers and sisters, -Hephews and nieces, and countless friends because of her generosity of heart and purse. I used to call her “Reserve Bank of India ” and that would always bring about her charm ­ ing smile and jolly nature. Jeroo mamma and Nanabhoy (“Uncloo ” as we very fondly called him) made a great team and the story of how they saved the Jame is one for the history books. I know because I was there. Nanabhoy was a true “xethia." A man who had the courage of his convic- , tions, a man of great principles and a st man with a heart of gold. He did not preach righteousness and sermonize — but he lived a true Zoroastrian life. He practiced goodness and never wished ill 4’ 2 Parsiana May 19983g well-read men I have known. •Jamsetjee Nusserwanji Tata (industri- He could speak practically on any alist) subject and make it interesting for his audience. The talks on his various visits abroad were not only interesting but fascinating. Giving him a lift in our car from of India) Poona, in the good, old days, the time to even his worst enemies. In today ’s corrupt world, he was uncorrupted and incoiTuptible. He was a great lover of literature and music, and many an evening we spent with him when he would quote Shakespeare, or recite poetry, tell inter ­ esting anecdotes. He was one of the greatest conversationalists and we are Poona, in the good, old days, the time •Sir Pherozeshah Mehta (uncrowned richer in knowledge and spirit because of just flew, as he kept us entertained and king of Bombay) our close association with him. laughing, as he had a keen sense of •Madame Bhikhaiji Cama (freedom Born with a golden spoon in his mouth he was always sensitive to the plight of the poor of our community. Many promising students have been educated because of his private and institutional charities and today some of them are very prosperous doctors, teachers, solicitors. A judge of the Bombay High Court is where he is today because of Nanabhoy ’s uncondi ­ tional support and generosity. “Uncloo ” was our family friend and mentor. He was truly one of the greatest human beings we had the good fortune to be associated with and we will al ­ ways cherish his friendship. Our family has fond memories of these two wonderful souls whom we had the great fortune of calling our friends, philosophers and guides. ABAN and ASPY DABOO Illinois. USA •Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, Baronet •Sir Dinshaw Maneckji Petit, Baronet •Sir Cawasji Jehangir, Baronet •Dr Dadabhoy Naoroji (Grand Old Man laughing, as he had a keen sense of humor, if at times slightly “racy, ” which fighter) was not appreciated by everyone. I enjoyed his jokes and sometimes, “naughty ” rhymes too... He was outspoken and hardly ever minced his words. If in the wrong, he would not hesitate to apologize. He had a sharp temper, if roused; yet if one •Pirojsha Godrej (industrialist) persisted to explain one’s problem, he was willing to listen and even guide. He was mostly fair in his opinions allurgist) and devoted to his children. A man who held family in high esteem, if handled with understanding and affection, one could easily touch his heart, even bring tears to his eyes. He was more than 10 years my senior, yet he always treated (first Indian Field Mttfshal) me with the respect due to an aunt, though by marriage only. PERINM R B. JEEJEEBHOY •Sir Dinshaw Mulla (legal luminary) 20th century top 10: •Padma Vibhushan Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha, F.R.S. •Bharat Ratna Jehangir Rattanji Dorabji Tata (industrialist) •Dr Jal Vakil (heart specialist) •Dr Minoo N. Dastur (consulting met- •Padma Vibhushan Nani Palkhivala (in­ come tax expert) •Hormusji M. Seervai (constitutional expert) •Field Marshal S. H. F. J. Manekshaw “The Top Ten” With reference to your invitation for nominating the top 20 Parsi Zoroastri- ans in the 19th and 20th centuries (Parsiana, December 1997), I am giv­ ing my preferences below. You may note that although the titles “Sir ” and “Baronet ” are invalid today, they were valid when they were conferred and hence these lilies and honors are re ­ tained in my list. Secondly, as an Indian, my list in- •Padma Bhushan Homi Nusserwanji Sethna (nuclear scientist) •(Will let you know later if I can think ofa suitable candidate) DrP.o.suNAVAtA With reference to your notification I read with a deep sense of nostalgia nominating the top 20 Parsi Zoroastri- (“The Top Ten,” Parsiana, December what has been written about Ms Jer A. ans in the 19th and 20th centuries 1997), I take the liberty of recommend- Dhondy (“Janie’s saviors, ” Events and (Parsiana, December 1997), I am giv- ing the name of Prof (Dr) Meher Mas- Personalities, Parsiana, January 1998) ing my preferences below. You may ter-Moos for Zoroastrian history, cul- whom I knew well for 20 years. note that although the titles “Sir ” and ture and scriptures and also for alterna- I would like to add my personal “Baronet ” are invalid today, they were live medicine for the 20th century. tribute to her memory which shall re- valid when they were conferred and Besides being founder president ol main ever green for those who came in hence these lilies and honors are re- the MazdayasnieMonasterie, DrMeher contact with her. tained in my list. Master-Moos is also the president of the She was a lady always smiling, full Secondly, as an Indian, my list in- Shah Behram Baug Society and the of humor, sympathy and of a deeply eludes only those Parsi Zoroastrian.s Zoroastrian College, Bombay. These understanding nature, ever ready to help who have made contributions, either to ’ ' * ‘ those who sought her advice. She was a “bonding ” force in any family. I shall remember her with love, al ­ ways, not only because she was the only Indians abroad who apart from earning one who ever addressed me as “Kaki- jee,” though none of my nieces or neph- ew.s ever have called me so; but because she was a personal friend and very helpful when we had a dire “joint fam ­ ily problem ” which she had solved for us successfully. I would also like to pay a tribute to my husband ’s nephew, Nanabhoy B. Jeejeebhoy, who not only took a promi ­ nent part in running the affairs of the Jain-e-Janished for so many years, but as a person. He was one of the most the country or to our community in India. Your terms “global ” and an inter ­ national list are confusing. There are above named organizations are impart ­ ing training and knowledge on our an ­ cient religion of Zarathushtra and alter ­ native medicine on a scientific basis. Dr Meher Master-Moos takes great inter ­ est and pains in guiding the scholars and researchers for preparing their thesis for B. Phil, M. Phil and Ph.D. She is the author of numerous books on Zoroastri ­ anism as also on law, medicina alter- nativaand astrology. are only contributing to American or British economy. I doubt whether these can be termed achievements of Parsi Zoroastrians. Finally, I suggest you ask your edito­ rial staff to follow up the life histories of your final top 20 from encyclopedias and publish them in Parsiana for the Recalling Parsi greats benefit of the readers. I give my nominations below: 19th century lop 10: •Ardcsccr Cursetji Wadia, F.R.S. •DrDarashawNosherwan Wadia, F.R.S. ProfM. L. PAVRI On February 4, 1998, I went to Cama Baug Agiary to pray. During the prayers, a thought kept nagging me that I should address a letter to Parsiatia, requesting the magazine to publish, as lead ar- 4 Parsiana May 1998 A IL with great interest and a letter from Ms On that day with the Aibaras, I started Nergish Plumber (“We are here to walking faster trying to avoid even look ­ ing at the Cathedral. Dasturji Aibara took hold of my hand and said, ‘"Keni niai daroj jaochoe ne aje Cathedral ma not only consider Nadarsha Aibara to be jata nathi... mare vaste ke (Why ma ’am a guiding spirit but a “mentor and the true ' - force ” of spreading the fundamental teachings of our religion amongst the Parsis on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Initially when I was asked to host dasturji Aibara and his wife here in New York, I first considered him as one of Madame Bhikhaiji Cama, the very those several “Aflatoon dasturjis who had decided to come to the States for a free visit under the pretext of spreading believe in him but I believe in the othejs the message of Spitaman Zarathushtra. Very reluctantly, I accepted and they came to stay with me in my teeny weeny one bedroom apartment. decided to come to my office. They very patiently dasturji Aib^a said if came at teatime and then around 6 p.m., we decided to go back home which was a good 10-minute walk from my office. The road to my house took me via the do you not think that He would have will that you are born to be a Parsi... Therefore my earnest and humble're ­ quest to you is “Merbani karine^lokonu with great interest and a letter from Ms tides, lives of outstanding Parsis of yore, either on their birth or death anni ­ versaries. On top of the list of such defy...” Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, Parsis was the name of Madame April 1997) caught my eye. Bhikhaiji Cama followed by Dr Homi Bhabha, Dr Minocher Modi, Pijam (Marzban, editor of Jam-e-Jamshed), A. F. S. (Bobby) Taleyarkhan et al. When I returned home, I saw a copy of Parsiana that was just being deliv ­ ered by the postman. On taking out this issue to, and behold my surprise when I found on its cover a photo and the name] same name which was, as mentioned above, on the top of my list. Was it a coincidence, though the issue is dated November 1997 or were my prayers answered? I do not know, I would request Parsiana to research and publish the lives of outstanding Parsis enumerated above or any other such Parsis as your paper deems fit. BHIKHAJl M. ADENWALLA Many Parsis in Canada and the USA are you not visiting the Cathedral today despite being a daily visitor? Is it be ­ cause of me)?” I was dumbfound and shocked. How did he know that I went to the Cathedral every day? That evening when he saw me say ­ ing a prayer dedicated to the Virgin Mary he asked me if I believed in Asho Zarathushtra. “Of course, ” I said. “I too. God is one whether he goes by the name of Zarathushtra or Jesus Christ or Mohammed or Moses, it does not mat ­ ter to me. I believe in the forces of the The second'day after his arrival he lord Almighty, blindfold... ” To this, you believe in God blindfold then why are you going against His wishes? If He wanted you to say the Christian prayers I 1 “We are here to defy...” Whenever I visit Bombay (which is twice a year), my neighbors always bring the old Parsiana copies down to my house to read. I comb every piige famous St. Patrick ’s Cathedral on 5th Avenue and every day at least twice a day, I would go in and say a prayer to Virgin Mary in whom I have great faith. given you birth as ^Christian? It is His JOIN '4, DAVAR’S COLLEGE OF COMMERCE BANKING, SECRETARIAL, COMPUTERS AND LANGUAGES Established 1900 For * Personal Secretaries Diploma with Computers * Computers * Accounts * Languages * Translations 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 6 Parsiana May 1998 Farrokh Khambata’s Catering Services • Traditional lagan-nu-bhonu and exciting new dishes • Sitdown - (patra) meals and exotic buffets • For all your special occasions to be a grand success Contact CATERING & ALLIED Ness Baug, Nana Chowk, Mumbai 400007 Telephone numbers Office; 3870856/3872350 Central Kitchen: 2011037/2073840 »na bhano... bhele elokone maan apo, ma apnujaj bhano. Ghana faido thase (You may respect other faiths but please stopped saying my Christian prayers but do not recite their prayers. Say the prayers of your own religion. That will be very rewarding) ” and gave me one simple line from the Avesta to pray. He asked me to try this for a week. That night he taught me the signifi ­ cance of saying the kusti and why we have to recite it twice. He asked me to wash my hands, feet, elbows, ears and face and then say the kusti without Kemna Mazda (only Ahura Mazda Khiidai and Jasme Avanghe Mazda}. Then wash the hands, feet, elbows, face and ears again and then say the whole kusti with Kemna Mazda. After that he asked me to say the nirang of Sarosh Yazad Vadi (three times) followed by five Yatha and three Ashem. The fol ­ lowing morning as soon as I woke up, Nergish Aunty was at my side and said, “Aste thi utho. Jameen ne paghe paro ne kiisti karo, Kemna Mazda vagar {Get up slowly, respectfully touch the ground and do the kusti prayers without Kemmi Mazda).” After I washed, dasturji made me recite a prayer after him; Shekaste shekaste shetaan followed by five Yatha Ahii Vairyo and three Asheni Vohu. Before dastur Aibara left for Bombay Canada and USA have come home to after his two months ’ tour, I had not only roost. Like me, several Parsis here in America have come to know the true meaning of our religion thanks to the undying efforts of our guru and mentor was fervently engrossed in our Avesta saying all the prayers including nirangs he had taught. I would call him at least dasturji Aibara. twice a month. He used to send me tapes on which he gave me instructions to recite the prayers after him, listening to the tape. Painstakingly he would also give the explanation of the prayers. Today, I dedicate one hour of my very busy schedule for my prayers. I will get up at 4 a.m. in the morning if necessary but I will never leave home or a hotel room (especially when I am travelling) without saying first the nirang, always after a thorough shower. From Hormazd roj to Adar roj I say my prayers for three hours, prayers which Zarathusht ratamaripadshahi.” Try say - dasturji Aibara taught me with great ing this as many times as you can and endurance for years before his death. He always told me to first wish for the health, prosperity and wisdom of our vada dasturjis so that they can lead and guide us to the right path of manashni, Womeil’s rights dcilied gavashni, kunashni, then ask for the blessings for our Parsi kom (commu ­ nity) and finally he said, “Wish for whatever you want for yourself. ” Like me, hundreds of Parsis in c' How many dasturjis today have done what Aibara sahib did? And yet he has been denied (because of some bureau ­ cratic process) the dasturpad he so rightly deserves. It is never too late and where there is a will there is a way. The late Jamshedji Sohrabji Kookadaru sahib was bestowed the dasturpad after his death. I end with dasturji Aibara sahib ’s favorite but very powerful prayer... “Ya nure Dastagir, Ya Dastagire Noor, karam kar kari ma rahem karo, ya parvdegar madad karo, ya nabi see for yourself the power behind it. B EH ROZ DAROGA and 61 others New York, USA I would like to bring to the notice of the * Zoroastrian commurSty the gross viola ­ tion of human rights and women’s rights by fundamentalist forces in Dahanu in the name of preserving the purity of the 4* ...because we care for your family too. Your eyes need looking after. You and your family need eye check ups. Spectades Sunglasses Contact Lenses If you need any of these Our professional expertise will look after your problem. 5 I 5 Baliwalla & Homi Priva|e Limited Flora Fountain: 365, Dr.D.N.Road, Tel; 287 4916 / 1762. Dhobi Talao: 614,J.S.Seth Marg,Tel: 201 4906 / 4923 Parel: J.Merwanji Street, Tel: 412 6051 8 Parsiana May 1998religion. For the last several years Zoro ­ astrian women married to non-Zoroas- trians have been forbidden from prac ­ ticing their religion by the mobed and certain conservative trustees of the Dahanu Agiary in total contravention of the message of our scriptures and the law of the land. Zoroastrian women married outside the community have been prohibited access to the fire-temple and debarred from participating in religious and quasi religious ceremonies like jashans, gham- bars, navjotes, uthamnas, etc. Resis ­ tance to such intolerance has resulted in public humiliation for the woman con­ cerned. On one occasion the mobed refused to perform an uthamna until the family gave an undertaking that the niece of the deceased married to a non- Parsi will not attend the ceremony. On another occasion he threatened to aban ­ don an uthamna ceremony midway un ­ less the family members got rid of an offending presence, which incidentally happened to be mine. Such incidents abound. Some women have sworn affidavits in court stating they have not converted and got orders permitting them access to the fire-temple but have not dared to enforce them. Most have simply withdrawn, unable to withstand the ostracism. Still others are seriously considering conversion, rather than live and die as outcasts. Appeals to reason have fallen on deaf ears. Progressive people have ei­ ther withdrawn from active participa ­ tion in the anjuman or have left this issue to the small but rich and powerful fundamentalist lobby. Is this Zoroastrian? Is righteousness as explained in our scriptures limited to only doing right and excludes fighting against wrong? The time has come to examine our conscience, know the truth and fight for it. shiraz bulsara Dahanu A response was sought from the agiary trustees but none has been received at the time of going to press — Editor The path of the dead I went to a funeral today. It was the first Parsi funeral that I had ever been to. I went up to the Tower of Silence follow ­ ing the body. These are some of the impressions I got; Today I walked the path of the dead, following the priests in white. Crows cawing in the trees, mournful cries of the psychopomps filling the still air. Holding handkerchiefs we walk two by two. Like children going on a school trip, solemn and silent. The long path stretches uphill and I feel out of breath, straining for oxygen. Yet the air seems far from me, the sun beats down, its heat a tangible weight. The chanting of the priests still fills my ears the prayers that they say, for a soul ’s peaceful flight. God I hope it’s true. We stop and last good-byes are said. Sorrow feels heavy, the weight hangs. The stop at the temple on the walk back, prayers said and the kusti tied. After the rituals the walk out, the peons saying salaam, bowing their heads as I pass. Other bodies carried past as I leave, some with many following the path of the dead, some only with a few, they all seem so alone as they ’ follow the path of #ie dead. XERXES N. ANTIA Edited by Ptirinaz M. Gandhi 4' For Pure Diamonds w JEWELLERS 324, Grant Road, Bombay 400007. Telephone 3099648 Fax 3073483 APPOINTED VALUERS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 10 Parsiana May 1998 IEvents and Personalities 50 years as dastur “It was indeed a rare and proud occasion when all the seven vada dasturjis of India were present together. ” They had come to join in the felicitation functions orga ­ nized on February 24, 1998 in honor of School, boys ’ School, primary and nurs ­ ery sections receiving Manekshaw at Manekshaw and the six visiting High Symbiosis Law College of Pune pre ­ Priests. sented a report on the landmark achieve- The evening program was organized ments of the School since Hormazdiar on the premises of the Sardar Dastur Schools with the bands of the girls ’ Dastur took over as president. An in­ sight into the illustrious Dastur family of Pune was provided by JamaspAsa Dastur Hormazdiar Noshirwan Dastur ’s ery sections receiving Manekshaw at while Manekshaw, in his characteristic ‘golden ’ accomplishments; He entered the dot of 6 p.m. Also organized for the style, delivered a witty speech. The his 50th year as High Priest of the Parsis old soldier was a guard of honor and a goodwill of his colleagues and well- I wishers was then acknowledged by Hormazdiar Da^ur. The usual round of shawls and ilowers concluded with a vote of thanks by School trustee Col Sohrab Pudumj^. May the good Lord bless and keep you sang Dilruba Irani, ex-Dasturian and teacher of the Sardar Schools, bring ­ ing the evening’s felicitations to a . close as guests proceeded to partake of dinner. old soldier was a guard of honor and a % With respect to Khodadad A meeting with the Bombay mayor was arranged. A signature campaign was launched. Letters of concern were dashed off to the chief minister, the municipal commissioner, the leader of the opposition...Awareness was created in the Press. These varidtis measures of agitation expressed the wrath of the community against the move initiated on March 16, 1998 by Shiv Sena corpo ­ rator Hemant Doke to change the name of Dadar T.T. from Khodadad Circle to Swami Samarth Chowk on the premise that Khodadad was the name of an in the Deccan, and has . served as chairman and managing trustee of the Sardar Sorabji Ratanji Patel Trust and presi- dent and trustee of the SardarDastur Schools ’ Trust for the last 50 years, notes a press re- lease highlighting the salient features of the day ’ s events. In the morning the seven High Priests —- Hormazdyar Mirza, Kaikhusroo JamaspAsa, Meherji Meherjirana, Kaikobad Dastur, Noshirwan Dastur, Firoze Kotwal with Hormazdiar Dastur — performing the jashan at Pune ’.s Sardar Sorabji Ratanji Patel Dar-e-Meher were joined by the local panthakies and other priests. Kotwal then recounted the history of the Patel Dar-e-Meher The audience in attendance at the following which Field Marshal Sam felicitations for Hormazdiar Dastur Manekshaw who had come from (Below) Manekshaw greeting the Coonoor to preside over the function High Priest as Tehnii Grant looks on presented a shawl, silver salver and flowers to Hormazdiar Dastur on behalf special welcome song. Compositions Afghani god. of the trustees of the Agiary. The Pune in honor of Hormazdiar Dastur were Needless to say, among the most High Priest also received tributes from then rendered by the choirs of the three incensed were the residents of Dadar. In Bombay ’s Athornan Mandal, the Surat Schools. a memorandum issued to the municipal and Nanpura anjumans, fire-temples in The welcome address was delivered commissioner by the residents of the Surat and Panchgani, in addition to by one of the School trustees Darius Mancherji Edulji Joshi Dadar Parsee panthakies and individuals from the city. Group ofindustries while his co-trustee dens, Dadar, Wadala, Matunga, resi- Felicitations in the form of a shawl Dr Dinshaw Kelawala, fonner princi- dents of the Hindu Colony, and sup- and flowers were also accorded to pal of the I. L. S. Law College and portive Bombayites they pressed for a in honor of Honnazdiar Dastur were then rendered by the choirs of the three The welcome address was delivered Forbes, chairman ofthe Forbes Marshall Colony, senior citizens of Five Gar- Group of Industries while his co-trustee Dr Dinshaw Kelawala, fonner princi- 12 Parsiana May 1998 Istatus quo on renaming. As per the called city fathers who are known to of India of April 15, 1998 reporting on reasons cited by them, “Khodadad Circle hardly contribute constructively towards the robbery in the preceding week at the has been in existence since 1928. The the betterment of civic life. ” Alpaiwala Museum managed by the Circle and its surrounding precincts were constructed by Gustad Khodadad Irani who expired in 1969. When made an offer by the then British Govern ­ ment, Mr Irani opted to perpetuate the memory of his father Khodadad by nam ­ ing the Circle after him. The name Khodadad is purely of Indian origin. Khodadad Circle is guaranteed heritage unwarranted move. Cre- protection (since) 1991. Gustad Kho­ dadad Irani was himself a resident of this predominantly Parsi neighborhood. He was a philanthropist and contributed to the development of our metropolis through his construction works across the city.” Nearly 2,500 signatories attested stalling it.” these sentiments including well-known names like Dinshaw Tamboly, Rustom Tirandaz, Homi Taleyarkhan, Mithoo Jesia, Firoze Sholapurwala, Jamshed Guzder, Dr Farokh Udwadia, Dr Mehroo Bengalee, Dr Aspi Golwalla, Jamsheed Kanga, Nani Palkhivala, Eruch Desai. As mentioned Tehmi Aga, chairman of The J. B. Vachha High approved as many as 123 road renam- School for Parsi Girls, “Our opposition finds echo among all citizens who ex­ press desire that existing names should people immortalized on streets and retain status quo and not be tampered with without legitimate reason. ” Marazban Patrawala, member of the National Commission for Minorities, wrote in a separate letter to the mayor lamps and fire hydrants will be added to the renaming circuit! ” the betterment of civic life. ” “The controversy over the renam- Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP). Need­ ing... has hopefully been buried with Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray ’s favorable reaction to the memorandum, ” stated activist Mickie Sorabjee in a press statement which acknowledges the efforts of different in­ dividuals who resisted the dit has also been given to ? “Mehernosh Fitter for | promptly bringing to no- | ticeMrDoke ’smisplaced | resolution, and to Con- | gress corporator Babu- bhai Bhawanji for wisely I •J less to say, Dadabhai Naoroji ’s gold- rimmed glasses was not the only item of interest to the thieves. Altogether 14 artefacts, all in silver, were reported miss ­ ing. A silver scroll belonging to Naoroji, a silver trophy, a silver elephant, a snuffbox were among the items stolen I from the museum, it was I mentioned in Express I Newsline, April 16, 1998. According to senior inspector D. C. Wilson of the Gamdevi Police Sta ­ tion where the crime was reported, the robbery did not seem pre-planned as in his statement to Ex­ press Newsline he men- I I I “The once noble ges ­ ture of naming roads in honor of prominent citi­ zens has been reduced to a farce in recent years, ” noted a write ­ up in The Times of India of March 28, 1998, adding, “Such is the naming ma ­ nia that the civic administration has Bi" ; 5i I jTvryukrrtv liv Ilivil- wl tioned that “only silver objects have been stolen. Right next to the showcases which housed the stolen objects was a Buddha idol, believed to be about 1,000 years olJ^ which could have fetched a real handsome price in ' ing proposals between April 1996 and the antique black market, but it was ^t A . inm . 1 r ., touched. ” The police suspect that the theft is the work of ragpickers. The Museum which is housed below theMuncherji KhareghatMemorial Hall at Khareghat Colony runs at a loss and therefore they can only afford to post one night watchman there, explained Vishakha Raut, “You will appreciate the renaming circuit! ” Sheroo Master, joint secretary of the that though the Parsi Zoroastrian com- , BPP. The robbery appears to have been munity in (Bombay) is very small in IVIissillg frOITl the jVluSClim committed during the spate of holidays number, our patriotism is second to “Robbers walk off with grand old man ’s from March 8 to March 10 when the noneintheserviceofourmotherland...in glasses, ” read the headline in The Times watchman was absent due to an illness, the freedom struggle as well as in the August 1997...But how many of those chowks today have contributed any ­ thing to the welfare of (Bombay)? In­ deed the day is not far when (Bombay) will run out of thoroughfares and street “Robbers walk off with grand old man ’s glasses, ” read the headline in The Times growth and development of (Bombay) n ritv tn which wp Jirp nil nrrniH tri holnno city to which we are all proud to belong. ' Hence under these circumstances it will indeed be cruel to change the name of Khodadad Circle... ” As wrote Tirandaz in the Jam-e- Jamshed of April 5, “The Corporation could well do with some substantial pro-citizens ’ issues being debated rather than this one and others of its kind which save for the creation of hot air and heartburn do nothing to benefit the citizens. ” Gopinath Bhaleker of Borivli « perceived this renaming issue as a “need­ less, mind boggling exercise by our so- | I Entrance to the Alpaiwala Museum (above) which houses rare artefacts (right) Photo: Rashid D. Bamanbehram A ... jy A I u,"'^ ‘ .............. 13 Parsiana May 1998u- loan for sugarcane cultivation, for re ­ pairs to a house in Vankal, for a water Chinese porcelain; rare stamp albums; brass, copper and other idols of Hindu mythology... ” Many of these priceless pump for a family in Dungri, for pur- objects were on view during the Parasika chase of four cows by a family in exhibition in 1991 organized at the Prince of Wales Museum. On the morning of March 11, when the Punchayet peon went as usual to clean the Museum premises he was surprised that the main door which he tried to unlock would not open. It was only later that they realized that the door had been bolted from inside by the thieves who very possibly used the opening behind Relief fOF FUrsl PSFSis the electric meters to access the Mu ­ seum, related Master. In existence since the early 1950s, the Museum houses among other valu ­ ables the personal collection of Alpai- wala which was transferred after the Khareghat Hall was built. In the History of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet 1860- 1960, author Sapur F. Desai quotes prevailing in these areas. Alpai wala to indicate the treasures found here; “Indian currency notes from one president Maharukh Chichgar, in most hundred rupee notes downwards from 1835 to the present day; a systematic collection of thousands of coins — an ­ cient and modern — Parthian, Sassa- nian, Pre-Moghul, Moghul, early In­ dian and British Indian last from 1669; historical medals of award from Charle.s I onwards; 200 various types of rare old Under the guidance of Dinshaw Tam- boly of the World Zoroastrian Organi ­ sation (WZO), the members of the Zo- profession, roastrian Women’s Assembly of Surat (ZWAS) and the Young Rathestars were able to visit Zoroastrian families resid ­ ing in remote villages of south Gujarat Tarsada(forwhichtheYoungRathestars and get an exposure to the conditions Ambapardi who wish to engage in dairy operations and another which needs help to repair their flour-mills, to pur ­ chase a vehicle for an individual in Sanandhara and another in Zankhvav who wishes to take up driving as a Help though is still required by a family in Vankal for a pipeline connec­ tion, for repairs to a house in Dungri, Top row (from left) the interiors/ exteriors of Parsis homes in Tadkeshwar, Tars ad a and Zankharda Bottom row: poultry farm (left) and the hearth of another family in Amhapardi are planning a gara auction) and Zan ­ kharda, for electrical fittings... “Our As per the report submitted by ZWAS aim is not just to help the less fortunate brethren by donating some funds or providing them with required resources (like food packets, utensils and clothes which they did to the poor villagers) but to make these Parsis stand independent in their respective occupation or pro ­ fession...Charitable institutions like ours can organize, but not make, we can .; support but not build the lives of oth­ ers, ” writes Chichgar. Donors can con­ tact the ZWAS at 12/723 Rati Villa, Bhavnagri Street, Surat 395003^ regions the WZO has already been sup ­ porting the residents or is contemplat ­ ing further assistance. Families in Mandvi, Sathvav, Zankhvav, Ratoti, Dungri, Zankharda have already been receiving assistance from the WZO be it in the form of regular stipends, re ­ building of a house, loans for purchase of a truck or tractor, provision of a nour-mill, a bore-well facility, setting up of a poultry farm, medical costs of an operation. Further assistance has been prom- ThC honOrablC homCOpUth ised by the WZO to the couple in Mandvi and the family in Tarsada who want a Consultation, treatment and medicine are all made available for free by Dr ¦4' % 14 Parsiana May 1998 Ilected for the nationals held in Pune in December 1997. He stands second in tion. Yohann says, “My mom started me skating. My daddy comes with me everywhere I go. But it is Krishna Sir (Krishna Baiswarey is his coach at the India placements for boys under six, according to a family source. He has Shivaji Skating Club) who has taught won four golds at the district meet, two golds and a silver me everything I know.” Skating, even for six-year-olds, is an expensive sport, what with imported shoes and skates, wheels and bearings that need to be changed, protective head gear and knee pads, and other related paraphernalia. It is not the cost but the lack of facilities and organiza ­ tion in the sport that the Doongajis lament hoping that the infrastructure will improve. Dilnavaz E. Bhagwagar Sohrab J. Mehta, the well-known ho­ meopath of Allahabad, who was re ­ cently conferred the Mother Teresa the state, and fourth in rank in the all- Gaurav award by Samanvaya, an all- India literary, cultural and social orga ­ nization. This award presented to him on February 14, 1998 at the hands of Bishop Mudharta was in recognition of Mehta ’s “high level of excellence...in Doongaji: the field of social service, ” noted a skating success press release sent by Capt Homi Dandiwalla, president-trustee of The AllahabadParseeZoroastrian Anjuman. “God is blessing you as you are very generous to Him and His poor, ” Mother Teresa had written in a letter to Mehta shortly before her demise. “You have been given the wonderful gift of being a doctor. You have used this gift and (are) still using it for the good of the people and for the glory of God...Keep the joy of loving God in your heart as your strength and share this joy with all you meet,” had been her counsel. “His whole life, entertainment and interest is his medical work to which he is so wholeheartedly dedicated, ” wrote Dr Rita Bahuguna Joshi, mayor of Allahabad in 1996, adding, “Some of Dr Mehta ’s patients feel that half their complaints are cured just by coming in contact with him,” as he listens to their complaints and min­ ute details. Dedi­ cated as he is to his mission, he has re ­ portedly not taken a break from his work which he has been pursuing for the last 37 years nor trav ­ elled out of Allaha ­ bad since a long time skating for an hour at 5.30 every morn ­ ing. Since all the children are under six, one or the other parent has to follow on biographees from all a scooter, guiding, encouraging and warning of traffic. The skaters cover Mehta: rare dedication I Eminently suited I As newly appointed deputy director I general of the International Biographi- I cal Centre (IBC) of Cambridge, Eng- I land. Prof Sorab Jal Arceivala of Bom- I bay will be required “to assist and ad- I vise in the approach to other leaders and I achievers with a view to including them I in future directories and reference titles ; I and in increasing the membership of the I International Biogra^ical Association, I The World Literacy Academy and The World Foundation of Successful V . Women,” notes a press release issued by IBC. These bodies which are spon ­ sored and based at the IBC reportedly medal in the under-six category at the bring together more than 5,000 achiev- state level and one silver at the nation ­ als. This roller skater ride to the top Who publications over the past few years requires a lot of hard work, stamina and determination — not only from young Yohann but also from his parents. Yohann and his dad Shiraz join a dedi­ cated flock of parent-child duos who go Consultants) Watson. Fewer than one in ev­ ery thousand IBC ¦ i ¦ Ml % ers from all over the world. Having featured in various Who’s Arceivala ’s expertise is in the field of environment and pollution control. He is currently chairman emeritus of AIC (As ­ sociated Industrial although his fame has spread far. His residence which serves as a clinic is frequented by people from all over a scooter, guiding, encouraging and over the world have India and overseas. As acknowledged by warning of traffic. The skaters cover been invited to act as Kewal Jolly of Kuwait, his young daugh- anything from six to 12 kilometers in deputy director gen- ter Divya had been saved from a major the morning to tone their muscles. eral, mentions the re- Arceivala: surgery thanks to Mehta ’s treatment. What impressed him particularly was to see a US-qualified doctor “running an absolutely free clinic, not even accepting donations. ’’ ig. On a roller ride In the short span of a year since he first stepped into his skates, six-year-old Yohann Doongaji has moved up from competing in Nagpur district to Vidarbh brothers, the first standard student of level to the state championship held in Bombay, capping it all by being se- the morning to tone their muscles. Coming home with just enough time lease. The deputy di- advisory aid for a bath and breakfast, Yohann is ready rectors from the five for the school bus at 7.30 a.m. Do lessons regional divisions — Africa, Americas, take a back seat? “Not at all, ” asserts his Asia, Europe and Oceania — will be mother Annu. “After school and some supporting IBC’s publishing, association relaxation, he completes his homework and congress programs coordinated by before he goes to the Shivaji Skating the headquarters in Cambridge. The Club for his rink skating practice. ” After Who’s Who books under the 30-year-old that, it’s dinner and the land of nod. Being the youngest of three rowdy IBC banner have carried more than 1,200,OCX) biographies, claims the re ­ lease. 16 Parsiana May 1998 Modern School is more than ready to take the rough and tumble of competi- Compiled by Parinaz M. Gandhi %ZOROASTRIANS ABROAf i Into the new millennium The community has to prepare itself for life in the next millennium says FEZANA president Dolly Dastoor Arnavaz S. Mama “We, as a community, have not set visions or goals where we shall be 50 or 60 years hence,” says FEZANA (Fed­ eration of Zoroastrian Associations of North America) president Dolly Dastoor. Under Dastoor ’s stewardship Every system needs to be rejuvenated (with) creative solutions for old and new problems. ” Believing that the business of the H community should be pro- ¦ fessionally ¦ Dastoor suggests that the BPP H and other major anjuman.s I acquire the services of good I Zarathushli public rclation.s I firms to create a positive im- I age. “If you are serious about ¦ the community, you have to " grasp the nettle: put your money where your mouth is, change the image of the in­ stitution and the community we once again feel proud to be Zarathushtis. Think we have come to a new country and start from scratch again, ” she suggests. Co-chair with the Zoroastrian Asso ­ ciation of Houston ’.s (ZAH) Homi Davier of the Seventh World Zoroastrian Con­ gress scheduled for December 2000 in ............... Houston, Dastoor says they want it to be Bombay, Dastoor reached Montreal, Dastoor ’s approach i.s to “look at religion as religion — not an ossifica ­ tion... Reinterpret our doctrinc.s in term.s of modern problems... How will you tackle AIDS, single parenthood, etc?... ebration, ” they are inviting contributions of art, poetry, short stories from Zoroas ­ trians everywhere to commemorate the event. Part of the program is expected to be a video festival of films made by or on Zarathushtis. “A quartet or symphony or dance on Zarathushti themes to celebrate our passage over the millennium ” are other cultural features the North Ameri ­ can hosts hope to offer. ZAH members of the Congres.s com­ mittees have been meeting every month, says Dastoor. The North American Con­ gress Committee meets twice a year be ­ cause, she adds, “more things arc achieved by personal relations t1^an by e-mail. ” In North America, people are adopt ­ ing a neo-classical attitude, stu<|ying the scripture.s for insight to interpret current problems. “We try to hold a.s much rituals and traditions as we can within the context of present realities, ” note.s the practising psychologist whose professional commitments have in­ cluded a long term study of Alzheimer ’.s disease — a brain disorder that disori ­ ents and progressively immobilizes the patient ’s mental faculties, creating a grave burden on the caregiver. An alumnu.s of St Xavier ’s College, FEZANA has created the Zarathushti community ’s first 10-yearstrategicplan. One of her main preoccupation.s is “one strong, viable world body ” which will give direction to the community, bring people together. It i.s not a homogeneous. . unified, monolith that Dastoor conceives; rather task force of people with ' different opinions and mindsets: “a mixture of young and old. The new gen- Daxtoor: 'a xinniy eration must tell the com- world hodv” munity what the problem.s are, and the community must listen. ” Her aim is for Zoroastrians to open their minds, think more, change their atti ­ tudes and she believes that the press should play a role in sensitizing people, y “We shouldn ’t be afraid of dialogu ­ ing,” notes Dastoor who say.s she ad ­ vised Meher Amersey, president of the Association of Inter-Married Zoroas- V trians to invite orthodox speaker Roni i Khan to one of their meets. “Meet argu ­ ment with argument. Only then the gap becomes narrower between people with antithetical views, ” Dastoor explains her reasoning. In a mix and match of centralization and decentralization, Dastoor believe.s Congress on the spur of the moment, there can be no decision, even if there is consensus because delegatc.s attending _ __ - - the Congress are not representative ofthe has experienced both sides ofthe mixed We have to keep the community going community as a whole, she adds. “Every- but we must rise beyond the prcoccupa- j body must know what the hell we are addressed. a o- i 4' so that issue-oriented and reach decisions. To enable that she would like background papers to be prepared so that people know what i.s being discussed (c.g. the children of mixed marriages) and dcl- egatc.s attend with the authority to speak. If something is put on the lloor of the that a centralized data base of resource.s could coexist with each anjuinan mak ­ ing its own plans, setting its own goals. Canada via Nigeria and has been asso ­ ciated with the University »f Montreal. She was the founding vice president of the Zoroastrian Association of Quebec and has served on its managing com­ mittee in various positions. Dastoor was also FEZANA’s first secretary. With a son and daughter married both to Zoroastrians — and another son en­ gaged to aNorth American girl, Dastoor tion with survival and for that concrete j going to discuss, ” she emphasizes. The program sub-committcc of the Congress comprises Khorshed Jungalwalla, Yezdi uuii will! sui vivui aiiu lur mai concrcic projects are necessary, she feels. If the I community ’s social structures arc strong they can create a feeling of oneness. But Rustomji and KaemerzT)otiwalla, she time and space are necessary to achieve that, she says. informs. Wanting the Congress to be a “ccl- marriage debate. In the last year of her four-year term a,s FEZANA president (the FEZANA constitution permits only two consecu- > tive two-year terms in office), Dastoor says she “looks forward to stepping aside and let others come forward. ” So far the Federation has no archives be- 18 Parsiana May 1998* ,! I, S- cause it has no permanent place. The data base on research material and new theses is on the Internet (web), she informs. The video Paradise, an imagi ­ native conversation between Zarathush ­ tra and Cyrus the Great that reviews the history of the Zarathushti people, is the first of FEZANA sponsored educational material for use within and without the community and hopefully, will raise the resources for more material to propa ­ gate the faith. FEZANA is also in­ volved in the inter-faith network, one of whose programs i.s for each community to “make a gift towards the millennium, take a m^jor issue and work towards it. Ours is conflict resolution. You in India can have something else, ” she suggests. “Bombay is becoming a melting pot. You are merging into the mainstream, ” Dastoor charges. “Leaders of the world community can ’t be obsessed with hous ­ ing problems, they need to make the religion strong... “It may take years, decades to chisel away the calcification of crystallized positions. It may take a century! Who knows what Zoroastrians will be like then ? B ut we must make a start. .. Maybe, the new millennium will belong to North American Zoroastrians... ” 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 Top Professional Services Under One Roof ? 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Brelvi Road, Fort, Mumbai 400001 Phone: 2873567/2832145/2870716/^886642/43 • Cable: ‘MOORINGS’ Ik Telex: 118-2119 MMSB IN • Fax: 91-22-2870139 • Email: g=mms/s=bom/p=gems/a=vsnl/c=in Internet: mms.bom@gems.vsni.net.in Branches Ahmedabad - Calcutta - Jaipur - Kandla - Ludhiana - Nhava Sheva - New Delhi - Surat 19 Parsiana May 1998ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD In search of justice Her job as a Human Rights Watch activist takes Binaifer Nowrojee to international trouble spots Arnavaz S. Mama “The real danger is that the way you take notes could put someone else in trouble, ” Binaifer Nowrojee, author of Shattered Lives — Sexual Violence During the Rwandan Conflict and its Aftermath (re ­ viewed in Parsiana, September 1997) nel. Her Rwanda report on the atrocities was speaking of the professional hazards she faces as an activist of the > New York based Human Rights Watch (HRW). The non-governmental organiza- tion (NGO) aims to focus international attention on ar- eas where internationally ac- cepted codes of human rights B||||||||||HB are violated. A fourth generation East African, Nowrojee travels on Nowrojee: "an a Uganda passport with tour- international ist visas, keeping a low pro- gypsy’’ file, mingling with thecrowd. “That ’s where our policy differs from Amnesty International ’s. Amnesty al ­ ways says who they are and why they and thereafter during the elections held to Nowrojee has filed nearly 20 reports so serious ” risk of notes being taken away far. Other aspects of her work comprise (Nowrojee says they avoid using tape media interviews and attending meets at recorders because these gadgets imply the United Nations or with the US government ’s State Department person- ¦ ¦ more trauma for already traumatized vic­ tims), of being “arrested and put on the next plane out. ” However, once an activ ­ ist is picked up, the New Yprk office goes into action. Nonetheless, there is the fear of getting “trapped in an area from where you can ’t get out. ” The daughter of Firoze and Veera (nee Bandrawalla) Nowrojee “comes ” from a family with a long tradition of ' working for justice. ” Her grandfather was “involved with freedom fighters when it was (a) dangerous ” thing to do. Her father ’s was “an outspoken voice in the on women there had a “huge impact. ’' For the first time there was a documentation of what I women suffer and led to the I UN and the US pledging I money for the report. On the I basis of the report “the UN I tribunal indicted someone for I rape for the first time (by ‘i amending) one of their charges. It was the first vic- ------- .. --------- ,---------------- ... --- tory for us, ” exults Nowrojee. legal community ” and her mother is “in- The Rwanda report was the result of two trips to the country for a combined dura ­ tion of six weeks. She has also visited Liberia twice, once during the civil war ¦ volved in women’s issues. They are in the middle of everything. I’m almost an annehair activist. I get nothing but sup ­ port from my family, ” acknowledges Nowrojee. Her sister Sia is married to a staffer of the US embassy in Pakistan; her want to come. Most times governments end the war. Nowrojee considers Kenya brother Eruch is pursuing corporate law ignore our recommendations, ” she adds matter-of-factly. “The worst thing that (nonnally) happens is that we get put on the next plane out. ” The five divisions of HRW comprise Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe tions concern the refugees in their midst, and the Americas. They work on projects highlighting the rights of women and children. Others deal with the spread of arms, armaments, landmines and the way they impact human lives. A recent report job. ” says Nowrojee, adding, “It seems dealt with bonded labor in India. The 200 employees of HRW function from New York, Washington, Moscow, Rio de Janeiro, Kigali, London, Brussels and Hong Kong. It is an international group that helps their local counterparts knows of one who was kidnapped in because there is not much that they can Chechnya. But, “the victims have suf ­ change within a country. “There is a big fered much more than you ’d ever know.” debate on whether we are interfering (in a country ’s domestic affairs), ” Nowrojee government officials to hear the other admits. Travelling to places where human rights violations have been reported. and Nigeria the two worst places for corruption/fraud and police brutalities though in South Africa too there prevails a bias against women. In all these coun ­ tries the maximum human rights viola- in Washington DC. Born in London, Nowrojee grew up in Tanzania where her lawyer father taught law and her mother taught in primary school. (Both herparents are alumni of St Xavier ’s College, Bombay.) Her navjote was held in Nairobi. While i« law school in the US, curiosity about her Indian HRW volunteers tend to “imbibe sec ­ ondary trauma from listening to the sto ­ ries ” of the victims of human rights vio- ethnicity made Nowrojee spend three lations. “It’s one of the hazards of the months in Rajpipla, Gujarat, working on the issue of land rights of the tribals there. The stint helped clarify to herself that working on issues of basic justice — petty to think about oneself. In so many ways one fecks so blessed. ” Common sense is a high priority attribute, for human rights activism — was what she human rights activists have been known to have lost their lives and Nowrojee HRW activists arc required to meet side of the story and they often have to take a hostile government response in their stride. There is always a “very indeed wanted to do. After three years ’ work as the staff attorney for Africa for the New York based Lawyers ’ Committee for Human Rights, Nowrojee took her masters in international law from Harvard Univer ­ sity before joining HRW in 1993. Speaking Swahili and French and “bad Gujarati — not my claim to fame ” — this continued on page 45 20 Parsiana May 1998 .<>I HOBBIES COVER STORY The farm and the fortune With an eye for beauty, Phiroze Hataria has been able to tend his fields and build up a priceless collection of objets d’art Danesh N. Kalyaniwala V Hataria dug lour wells, in addition to the two which had existed in his grandfather ’s time. He made his own roads. He laid underground pipelines. He For years bus loads of kids have been turning up at Phiroze Hataria ’s farm, a favorite picnic spot for schoolchildren. On the eastern outskirts of Poona, off the Sholapur highway, it consists of 70 acres of lush green fields, herds ^^B of milch buffaloes, Holstein- ^^B Frisian cattle, a modern dairy and ^^^^B hundreds of exotic birds. The chil- dren are shown around the dairy, the fields and the wells. It is a very pretty place especially when the flowers are in bloom (Hataria scl Is gladioli to wholesalers in Bombay ). “An exposure to a well- ^^B run farm at an early age might make young minds think there are ^^B alternatives to becoming doctors, lawyers and engineers, ” Hataria ^^B points out. The farm has been owned by HRn the Hataria family for three gen- erations. Phiroze ’s father tried to run it at a profit, but prices of agricultural produce were low BB| and soon Hataria Sr was in debt ofover a lakh of rupees. Phiroze ™ was forbidden at the farm as his father wanted him to study hard and take up a profession. Anything, he felt, was preferable to becoming afarmer. But after school (Dastur Boys) and two years of college (Nowrosjee Wadia), Phiroze joined his father. Slowly the debts were paid off. They increased the acreage under sugarcane. When Hataria Sr expired in 1964, Phiroze decided to carry out his modernization and expan ­ sion plans. His father had vehemently opposed an electrical machine to chop forest department raided his farm and up fodder for the cattle. Phirozc felt ' ' ' ' sorry for the manual help, so he installed an electrical machine. Within six days, there were two casualties involving cut fingers. “I remembered my father ’,s words, then,” observes Phiroze. But while “in 1963 we had two men chop­ ping cattle fodder by hand, now with the machine we have six. ” '¦ r Hataria: content with his lot Photo; Nandu Ghanekar site the Poona University, where they died within a fortnight. Hataria has a lovely home on East Street. Most of the space (ground floor plus first) is taken up by antique furniture, old pamtings, Chinese plates, vases and bowls, leadcrys- tai and assorted gifts from friends who know what he likes. When asked how he picks up such beautiful things. Hataria ^B “People know I collect ^B (them). Whop old houses are ¦. t pulled down, I buy many pieces ^B^ which are unobtainable now. My Bw friends, too, are very geperous F — this set was given to me by HomaiPudumjee.Ibuyoldwood B|£ from old buildings as well. My carpenter, aRajasthani, has made ^B all these new cabinets and dis- play cupboards from old wood.” Every square inch of the house is utilized and natural ventilation preferred. A mirror slides back to reveal the swaying branches of a tree outside. His collection of antiques must be worth millions. Yet he doesn ’t believe in insurance. “My chowkidar is up there, ” *Re says, point­ ing skywards, “and He never lets me down.” His eyes twinkle with mischief. As a young boy. Hataria got one anna pocket money per day. He dropped his anna in a Quaker Oats box, until he had enough saved up to buy a small ceramic showpiece which he still has in his cup- * bought 20 acres of land adjoining the farm. People brought him birds and he started breeding them on the farm. The Pune Municipal Corporation gave him an award in 1994 for his bird breeding activities. But the next year, 1995, the board. The composition shows three ur ­ chins playing cards at a table which is a tortoise shell, one boy passing a card under the table to another boy using his toes. A typical bachelor is Hataria, com- took away some birds and animals. “I didn’t know I was doing anything ille ­ gal, ” says Hataria. “The forest officer said ‘you are looking after them very ----------- -------------------- . wcll,givcustimc,wewillsortthisout. ’” plete with his Man Friday, Nana, who | But Hataria was adamant: “If it is illegal, pads noiselessly around the house watch ­ please take them all just now.” So the animals were taken away. Some were kept in the Raj Bhavan grounds, oppo- ing you while you ooh and aah over the pieces. Nana is very knowledgeable. Hataria doesn ’t remember whether a 22 Parsiana May 1998 *k* jSg iSi ST I ‘U'l J £ i-'* J 24 Parsiana May 1998 I , i z. ‘ I’C « ) ¦<» * '¦ I 25 Parsiana May 1998 « r Facing page: The interiors of Hataria’s beautiful home Photo: Nandu Ghanekar; in the midst of abundant flora and fauna Photos: Arnavaz S. Mama ¦¦ 4 I : f, V Some of the priceless Chinese, porcelain and ceramic treasures and Murano creations on view at Hataria’s residence Photos: Arnavaz S. Mama Horse sculpture Photo: Nandu Ghanekar ?PUBLIC NOTICE Parsi Colony at Vasai Parsi Public Charitable Trust owning about four acres of non-agricultural land at Vasai in salubrious surroundings with plenty of water, invites like minded Parsi Philanthropists and Trusts to construct buildings thereon for poor Parsis on rental basis or old age home or sanatorium on 50-50 allotment basis. Even individuals who wish to construct flats in memory of their near and dear ones are welcome. Apply G.P.O. Box No. 892 (Vasai) Bombay 400001 particular piece has been photographed, Nana knows when and by whom. Hataria is very fond of a Chinese vase 15 inches high and 18 inches in diam ­ eter. “Our family doctor was Dr Coyajee, ” he recalls. “One night he made a house call since my brother was ill. On his way out, he touched the vase and said it looked nice. The next day my father sent it to the doctor ’s house as a gift. “We were all upset, even my mother. We told my father that Dr Coyajee only admired it, he didn’t want it. Papa said, ‘Doctor aapri pose thi ek paiso pun nathi leta (Doctor doesn ’t charge us a single paisa for his services. ’ That settled it. After Dr Coyaji died the vase found its way to Dr Sammy Mody. When I lound that out, I requested my landlady to purchase it forme from Dr Mody. But when Sammy heard the story, he gave it to me, gratis. So you see our vase is back at home, after over 60 years, ” he adds with satisfaction. Hataria i.s very friendly and kind, but not very sociable. The last movie he saw was in 1962, the last function he at ­ tended in 1952. “And that was only because it was my own sister ’s wed­ ding,” he remarks. He wears white trousers and a white shirt, one button missing on the shirt front to emphasize hi.s happy bachelor status. When asked his age. Hataria promptly said, “35.” His sister gently amended, “73.” When asked about his bachelorhood, he says, “I looked after my mother till she passed away three years ago, aged 94. You can have lOmen living in peace and harmony in one room. But not two women.” After his mother died he felt no desire to change his bachelor status. “I am very happy and content,” he smiles. His sister adds, “He doesn ’t look after himself. See what a bad cough he has? ” Generous to a fault, Hataria gives to all charities. He was involved with the restoration of the local agiaries. A genu ­ ine son of the soil, when he dies Hataria wants to be cremated, his ashes scat ­ tered in the fields he loves, where he tilled and toiled. Since he ha.s no wife, he says, “Many people want me to adopt them.” He has many appreciative letters from all over the world. Hataria recollects, “One lady was so taken up by my collection that she asked me to adopt her. I said that there is a long list of hopefuls, already. But the lady was smarter than me. She said, ‘Well then, I’ll adopt you! ”’ An international group promoted by an N.R.I. requires the following candidates for employment in their group companies in Africa and Canada 1. Engineers -- electrical/ chemical/mechariTcal/textile preferably with 5-10 years ’ experience 2 (a). Chartered Accountants/ M.B.A. Finance preferably with 5-10 years ’ experience 2 (b). Fresh Chartered Accountants may also apply 3. H.R.D. — Experienced personnel with at least 3-5 years ’ experience * Those interested, jnay send their bio data along with a photograph to the undersigned, at the following address Mr E. M, Poonevala ‘Anjum ’, 1, Shanti Vihar Civil Lines, Nagpur 26 Parsiana May 1998I LAW Parsi adoption not legal Overruling a lower court decision, the High Court has held that there is no adoption among Parsis Parinaz M. Gandhi The fear that adoption would be a co­ vert way of permitting non-Parsi.s entry to the community had prompted the laity and clergy to oppose the Adoption Bill when this social legislation was placed before Parliament in the ’80s. Subsequently an appellate order by the division bench of the Small Causes Court holding that adoption is recog ­ nized and prevailing among Parsis had once again caused consternation to the community until Justice D. K. Deshmukh of the Bombay High Court overruled the lower court order and declared on February 12, 1998 that “in so far as the Parsis domiciled in British India are concerned, the custom of adop ­ tion is not recognized. ” Supporting this view were eminent legal luminaries Nani Palkhivala, Dadi Engineer, Eruch Desai, Burjor Antia who have held that barring the erst ­ while Baroda state there has never been any custom of adoption among the member of Batliwala ’s family staying Parsis. “Adoption now not being legal with the tenant at the time of her demise among Parsis, the one method which unscrupulous parties attempted to pas.s on the tenancy rights of a Bat to an 5(1 l)(c) of the Bombay Rent Act. This outsider is snatched away by the court, ” wrote Desai in the Jam-e-Jamshed of March 15, 1998 happy that the trust properties would not be claimed on false pretexts. This matter assumed importance when the trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), aggrieved by the or ­ der of the division bench of the Small peared for the petitioner and none ap- Causes Court, had filed an intervening peared for the respondents. ” Appearing application in the High Court in 1994 in the suit pending between the heirs of Laxmidas Morarji and Behroze Madon. The Appellate Court had ruled that Madon should be considered the adopted the question whether a Parsi was legally daughter of the late Dhanbai Batliwala competent to adopt. with a right to tenancy of Mahomedaly Mansion (now known as Chandra Mahal) on Princess Street. as also Ratanshaw Dinshawji Chothia vs Bamanji Dhanjibhai and others (1938) wherein it was observed that there was no recognized custom of adop- The episode is supposed to have begun in 1967 when after the death of Batliwala in 1963 the landlord, Morarji, to whom the building had been as ­ signed by Salehbhai Alibhai Rangwala tion among Parsis domiciled in British sought to oust Madon from the Hat. But according to Madon ’s statement to The Afternoon Despatch and Courier of March 9, 1998 she had been residing deemed valid by the High Court too on with her aunt Batliwala who had ‘adopted ’ her since she was seven years old and that she had looked after her “blood relation ” until her demise. In her formal will wherein she had named four trustee,s — Dinabai Madon (Behroze ’s mother), JehangirBamji,PirojaKapadia and Mehru Pochi — Batliwala had be ­ queathed her tenancy to Behroze Madon. The landlord however contested this stand and filed a case in the Small Causes Court, Bombay. While the Trial Court did not consider Madon an adopted daughter, she was viewed as a member of Batliwala ’s family stayin; India which included Bombay. Madon ’s inheritance of the tenancy as upheld by both the lower courts was 29 Parsiana May 1998 and therefore entitled to inherit the ten­ ancy under the provisions of section the grounds that “no exception can be taken to the finding recorded by the Trial Court that (Madon) would inherit the tenancy of the suit pftmises as she was residing with the tenant as a mem- - her of the family of the tenant. ” Even as adoption by the community is not considered legally valid, bigamy too is unlawful. As per the interim order of Justice S. S. Nijjar of the Bombay High Court, reported in the Express Newsline of July 24, 1997, the second wife of a married man who is not di­ vorced cannot use her husband ’s name in public although the offspring born of such a union can. According to the notice of motion filed by Armaity Sukhia, married to Jimmy Sukhiaas per Parsi rites in Poona in 1965, Victoria Crasto was “falsely claiming and styling herself as Ms Sukhia ” with her name appearing in the list of wives of Lions Club members. As argued by Crasto ’s counsel, had she been making false claims over her mari- 1977 judgment was challenged by the petitioners before the Appellate Court where not only was the appeal dis ­ missed but Madon wa.s deemed an adopted daughter in 1986. After over 30 years of legal battle, when the petition was called forbearing tai status, only her husband Jimmy could by the Bombay High Court, “none ap- peared for the respondents. ” Appearing for the intervenors, the BPP trustees, were senior advocate R. A. Dada, Percy Ghandhy and HoiniarN. Vakil of Mui la and Mulla who addressed the Court on The 1998 High Court decision was based on the ruling in the case of Kershaji Dhanjibhai vs Kaikhushru Kolhabhai take an objection. “Jimmy had under ­ gone a Muslim marriage with Victoria, ” learnt the Express Newsline in the course of their enquiries. The judge held that Armaity Sukhia had the legal right to protect herself as the lawfully wedded wife of Jimmy Sukhia until their marriage was dis ­ solved and Crasto was restrained from “representing, declaring or imperson ­ ating herself a,s the wife of Jimmy Sukhia. ” 7 rHISTORY A walk through the past The British Council and the Cymroza Art Gallery sponsored a walk through Bombay’s Parsi past I Arnavaz S. Mama Nusserwanji Wadia, the shipbuilder who remained so sweet. sired seven generations ot shipwrights. Eros Cinema stands on some of the The family had controlled the Bombay earliest reclaimed land in the city, its customary seven, Agra sandstone and molding and its steep octagonal tower creating an illusion of height. Accord- _______ ing to Mistree, Shiavax Khambatta, fore- his release from the Marathas bear of the family that owns the build ­ ing, had made a deal with government “May heroic sons be born to you. May you be wealthy. May you have an active mind and an active spirit. May you live a cheerful and joyous life throughout. ” The benediction from Dastur (Dr) Mistree. Firoze Kotwal marked the conclusion of a four-hour walkathon for about 130 people in the H. B. Wadia Atas Bahram compound. Parsis, fellow Indians and foreigners had followed the Zoroastrian flag and hung on Khojeste Mistree ’s masterful recall of people and events as he led the Parsi heritage trail walk orga ­ nized by the British Council in conjunc ­ tion with Pheroza Godrej and the Cymroza Art Gallery. The walk was one of the local events organized in conjunc ­ tion with the Enduring Image exhibition ----------- ---------.----- , “ . . , .. from the London Museum that visited Kapadia on his successful enclosure of band consisting of ladies played in the Bombay. Beginning on the dot of 2 p.m. on February 14, 1998 Mistree introduced his audience gathered at the Bhikha Behram Well to the antecedents of present-day Parsis — the Zoroastrians who had dwelt in the vicinity of the Aral Sea 3,500 years ago and their descen ­ dants who came to India around 936 AC, to be known as Parsis. He referred to the landing in Sanjan and the legend ­ ary dialog with King Jadirana whose conditions before granting sanctuary have been honored over a millennium, though, as Mistree remarked, “Nobody had been governor ot the Imperial Bank had also been secretary of the Indian National Congress for 23 years. Mistree was at pains to explain the early topography of the city. The ram ­ parts of the Fort of Bombay had stood to the left of what is now Mahatma Gandhi ot his house leading to the ramparts shipyard for over 100 years, noted The Bhikha Behram Well itself was an eye-opener for many as Mistree re ­ lated how Bhikhaji had sunk it to com­ memorate 1....------------------ ------------- who had imprisoned him while on his Eros Cinema stands on some of the piling going down 11 feet instead of the way to Bombay from Broach, mistaking officials for the land over a good Parsi him as a Muslim. The Well had been in meal! The creators ofthe edifige, Messers the news lately as Parsi.s had opposed the Bhedwar and Sorabji, had envisioned a public toilet sought to be constructed combination of an entertainment com- close to it and won their point when the plex and shopping boulevard there with _______ _ ____ _ _ ___ J ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ; an ice-skating rink and a ballroom (this new structure for that purpose. Mistrce reporter remembers attending weddings corn] Supreme Court disallowed the use ot the meal ! The creators of the edifige, Messers an ice-skating rink and a ballroom (this iplimented homeopath Dr Viraf and navjotes in the ballroom). An Italian interval, revealed Mistree. The group paused in front of the statue of Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy on Veer Nariman Road. Jejeebhoy ’s mo­ nopoly on imports had enabled him to amass and disburse in charity a mind- ____ _____ _________ boggling two billion rupees in today ’s statue,^said Mistree, was sculpted by terms. He was a cosmopolitan at heart. the Well to keep unsavory elements away from the area where Parsis pray and light divas and salute the healing properties of the Well. Outside the Well precincts the group was introduced to Sir Hormusjee Cowasjee Dinshaw (Adenwalla) whose LvilMV ______ _ Sheru Sidhwa. Dinshaw, an Oxford building bjjnds (including the Bund graduate, had given Aden its water works, houses and roads and had been trustee of the Aden Port Trust. On to the statue of Sir Dinshaw Vatcha ing the city from its fortifications), sad- opposite Eros Cinema. The man who Garden in Pune), wells, schools, hospi ­ tals. At his residence Fort House ’on the Esplanade (the stretch of land separat- .^1 A understands why he demanded that wed- and of the Central Bank of India (CBI), dings be held after sunset. ” From Sanjan the Parsis spread north to Ankleswar and south to Thana seek ­ ing economic power and a better life. Mistree said. It was only after Gerald Aungier was appointed' governor of Bombay in 1672 that Parsis accepted the Road. Flora Fountain marks the site of British invitation to move to the seven ~ fishing islands of Bombay to create a cosmopolitan culture and build the city’s many institutions. The most notable Parsi to have come to Bombay then was Lowji dlers, sapat makers, sudreh embroider ­ ers and the like were in constant employ. The house boasted English, French and Chinese dining rooms and legend has it that Ming vases were used as wastepa ­ per baskets, said Mistree. Such was Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy ’s clout with the British government that the road in front where Bombayites were wont to hold ______ ______ weddings, was widened for their benefit Cathedral. The Bhikha Behram Well by rebuilding the Fort wall, informed itself stood outside the city walls and Mistree. was lapped by the sea at high tide which Cursetjee Furdoonji Parakh had do- Churchgate, the gate facing St Thomas ¦ • . ...................I Cursetjee Furdoonji Parakh had do- is why it is amazing that its water has nated over 50 percent ofthe cost of Flora 30 Parsiana May 1998 irss- 1 ‘f First row: Khojeste Mistree with members of the group outside Aujuman Ateish Behram;- Firozu Puiithakey-Mistree, Kaiyaii Mistree andShernaz. Pauthaky of Zoroastriau Studies; Second row: Outside Parsi Ambulance Division at Dhobi Talao; Statues of Kawasji Petigara at Dhobi Talao and Sir Hormusjce Adenwalla near Churchgate; Third row: Hormusji Wadia. Kotwal and Sir Janisetjee Jejeebhoy and Godrej addressing the gathering in the Wadiaji compound; Model of Wadia Ata.s Bahram's sanctum sanctorum Photos: Arnavaz S. Mama 31 Parsiana May 1998 ¦i Fountain and was supposed to have owned the famed Dresden Diamond, according to Mistree. Though Parakh lost much of his wealth in the stock market crash of the late 1860s, his chari ­ ties continued. Although the group did not actually walk to the Central Bank, Mistree al ­ luded to the reverse discrimination it hadpractisedwhennoEnglishmencould It was the venue of English plays, a get a job there, only Indians. “The Brit ­ ish government eventually allowed the municipality and other government bod ­ ies to bank with the CBI,” he added. He also spoke of how the Bombay share bazaar had been originally organized under a banyan tree in Horniman Circle. It was only later that the Jamscljcc Jejeebhoy family contributed towards a building to house it. According to Mistree, there were five Parsi brokers who were members of the original share bazaar. Passing by the statue of the Grand Old Man of India Dadabhai Naoroji (D. N.) who had been the first Indian profes ­ sor of Gujarati at London University before becoming the first Indian mem­ ber of the British Parliament, Mislree pointed to the pugree and Parsi dress of outside Capitol when it had run a film in one of the most secular men of his lime. “Today the Parsi label is underplayed because of the loss of Parsi pride and ignorance of history, ” he noted. Walking down D. N. Road, Mistree pointedtothewingedbullsoftheValcha Framji Cowasji Institute bordered Agiary saying the bull, an import of Babylonian origin, “represents security in Iranian art... The face ol man denotes Bastani bakeries and restaurants Mistree knowledge, the wings spiritual power, the body, physical power. ” The J. N. Petit Institute was built in two stages, the second floor being added several years later but so well is the Victorian Gothic architecture executed, that the blend suggests not a suspicion of a break. The land for the building had been given by Jamsetji Tata and the library marked a pioneering attempt at Anjuman and Wadia atash bchrams. replicating the libraries of the United Kingdom. Jamshedji N. Petit, whom it commemorates, had been a scholar and gamated through horizontal and vertical the family donated his entire private library to the Institute, informed Mistree. It had been a warm afternoon and chairs in the foyer of the Sir J. J. Parsi Benevolent Institute and a cold drink, courtesy Rustom and Delara Jejeebhoy. were a welcome relief. Mistree spoke of the design of the building by Dinshaw Dorabji Mistree, his great, great grand ­ father, exulting in the cooling cross ven- tilation, the private well, grand stairway committee,” noted a happy Mistree, al ­ and the flooring of Minton tiles which luding to the fire-temple trustees headed had endured to this day. A lot of Parsi money had gone into the construction of VT station on what temple had been put on view for the had been Fansi Talao or hangman ’s square, averred Mistree. The Capitol cinema was the original Gaiety Theatre leased from Eduiji Dinshaw of Karachi. by managing trustee Hormusji Wadia and Dastur Kotwal. A model of the fire- 32 Parsiana May 1998 When Dhobi Talao was a tank filled with seawater, Queen’s Road was the seashore benefit of the non-Zoroastrian guests and its layout explained. After Wadia had welcomed the group Kotwal recounted the founding of the three other atash behrams in Bombay — Dadyseth consecrated in 1783, Banaji in 1845 and Anjuman in 1897. The locality of the Wadia Atas Bahram was origi ­ nally known as charni wadi because cattle were brought there for grazing. Later the name changed to Chandanwadi because of the sandalwood shops there. The Atas Bahram ’s crenulated walls are modelled on the walls of Persepolis, said Kotwal, though the Persepolis walls, are 63 feet high. The meet ended with refreshments with compliments of the Wadia trust, the guests being treated to typical Parsi fare like papri-malido, bhakhras, etc. Mistree credited Godrej with being the main link in organizing the walk. At several stops her car w'Ss in attendance to provide drinking water and succor to - ) private box for four costing Rs 480 and seats on the lloor R.s 100 for the season and had been constructed according to Sir Richard Temple ’s original sketch. “We’re not a cranky community today. We’ve been a cranky community for a long time,” laughed Mistree as he re ­ called the demonstrations by irate Parsis outside Capitol when it had run a film in those in need. Godrej, whose Cyiproza which a Parsi girl had taken part for the Art Gallery has been associated witnthe first time. British Council in holding some of the When Dhobi Talao was a tank filled ancillary exhibitions to the Enduring with seawater (the salt settled and the Image, had suggested the sponsoring of water was used to wash clothes) the on the tank and Queen ’s Road was the seashore. Passing by the Kayani and a Parsi heritage trail to acquaint people with the buildings, institutes and indi­ viduals who have created Bombay. She noted that it was Wadia Atas Bahram trustee Keti Mehta who suggested that the trail end at the fire-temple. Work on the project began in September 1997. said that the latter, with its mirrored walks was used by the Criminal Investi ­ gation Department (CID) of the Bombay she said and noted that the vast and Police 25 years ago and a whole interna- varied background material forMistree ’s tional network operated from there. The commentary had been compiled by his falooda, a speciality of the restaurants, was an import from Shiraz whence the founders of the two catcric.s had come. And on to the “I ires of victory ” — the tially involved with the organizing of the trail and Mr Irani of the Bombay Police for their bundobast. The star of the show was Mistree whose experience as a public speaker purilication with 16 priests praying 14 helped him project his in-depth com- hour.s a day to consecrate the atash mentary even after the mobile loud- padshah. “II one of them falks ill, the speaker packed up with two-thirds of ritual must be repeated. ” It had taken 1,128 day.s to consecrate the H. B. Wadia Ata.s Bahram, he stated. A warm welcome awaited the group in the Wadia Ata,s Bahram compound. “Not in my highest drcams had I ex­ pected such an impressive reception wi fe Firoza Punthakey-MistF«e. Mistree himself thanked his team members at Zoroastrian Studies who were substan- '‘f Along the way Mistrce explained how 16 different sources of fire are amal- the trail remaining to be covered. “Our religion teaches us to be happy within and because of being happy within to also project happiness (and) harmony in the environment, ” said Mis ­ tree. That February afternoon was a suc ­ cessful essay in Zoroastrian philosophy. bHISTORY Gujarat Parsis: Near and yet apart — 1 The flight of the faithful As accounted by various scholars and related In the Bombay Gazetteer, the Parsis in Gujarat strove hard to build their fortunes and respect their faith of Kaehh (118), Palanpur (205), Mahi Kantha (eight), Kathiawar (908), Rewa Kantha (386), Cambay (137), and the Surat ageney (618). To this number are to be added 47,458 in Bombay eity, 3,920 in the district of Thana, 2,026 in Poona, 1,408 in Karachi, 2,007 in other British stalment. With Parsis, eating and drink ­ ing arc religious duties which help to drive away the evil spirit, it is slated herein. Their religious beliefs, their mode of auspicious occasion.s and feasts are referred to in the lourlh epi­ sode. In the midst of this rejoicing they districts, and 131 in the native states of were also enjoined to observe acode ot theBombayPresidency.Thetotalstrength behavior that prescribed wearing ot sudreh-kusli and covering the head and feet al all times, thanking God before every meal and keeping silence whilst eating! The customs accompanying first pregnancies, births, navjoles and mar ­ riages are detailed in the fifth instal ­ ment. When much awaited male child wa.s born, instead of the child, some the cowdung was shown to the mother, supposedly in the best interests ot the mother and the child. Elaborate were the marriage rituals too and as noted AD) and Nahavand (641 AD) the king- therein, the poorest Parsi could hardly dom of Persia passed from Shah marry his son for less than Rs 400 or his daughter for less than R.s 250. Most ofthe practices accompanying death rites seem to be preserved to this day as i.s indicated in the last instal ­ ment. There were some noticeably dif­ ferent customs loo; for three days alter a death no food was cooked in the house of mourning, except for dogs. To save the soul of a Parsi man who died with­ out a male issue, it was mandatory to announce an adoption on the ulhamna day. Often too were donations to chari ­ table causes made on this day. The Parsi population of Gujarat is esli- reputed for not having a single beggar mated according to the census ol 1891 amongst them. AD to be 34,411. Ot these 12,757 are in The dress and ornaments worn by ihedislrictof Surat, 3,273 in Broach, 835 the priests and laity, the nature of their dwellings, their life-style and preoccu ­ pations find a mention in the third in- That the howl of a dog at night is believed to foretell a death or other evil in his master ’s family; that the persis ­ tent cawing of a crow is supposed to be the harbinger of bad news are some of the superstitions frequently repeated celebratin among Zoroastrians. What may not be as well known is the notion that the spasm of breath in sneezing or in yawn ­ ing is the work of an evil spirit which should be countered with the words “Broken be ahriman. ” And that a drawn tooth or cut nails are to be buried four inches below the ground whilst reciting the sacred texts. Insights into the life-style, value sys ­ tems, code of conduct, performance of elaborate ceremonies among the Parsis of Gujarat in the latter part of the 19th century can be had from perusing 1 Bombay Gazetteer. The relevant chap ­ ters of the compendium which had been sent to us by the noted Bombay dentist Dr Dinshaw F. Boga will be edited and carried over six instalments of Parsiana, beginning this issue. In the first instalment we learn how the Parsis landed on the shores of India, how circumstances led to subsequent migrations and an increase in their num ­ bers. Though reputed to be kind and considerate, even at that time dissen ­ sions were known to exist among dif­ ferent factions. Being shrewd traders and business ­ men they were seen flourishing along the Malabar coast, recalls the second instalment. Not only were they known to own the most beautiful villas and gardens in Surat, but they were also ¦g in Ahnicdabad, 153 in Kaira, 108 in the Paneh Mahals, 14,905 in the Gackwar ’s territory and 2,380 in the native states 34 Parsiana May 1998 of Parsis in the Bombay Presidency is 91,361. There are three pei’fods in the history of Gujarat Parsis: 600 years of prosperity from the beginning of the eighth to the beginning of the 14th century, a cifntury of depression (1300-1400 AD), and about 500 years of revival and steady progress. According to a poetic account known as the Kisseh-i-Sanjan (this account was written about 1600 AD by a priest named Behman Kekobad Sanjana of Navsari) after the Arab victories at Kadesia (638 Yazdezard and the land became deso ­ late. The faithful and their priests, leav ­ ing their gardens, halts and palaces, hid themselves in the hills for a hundred years. At last as their life in the hills was one of much hardship, the Persians who kept to their old faith moved to the coast and settled in the city of Ormuz. After they had been in Ormuz for 15 years the enemie.s of their faith again troubled the Parsis. A learned priest skilful in reading the stars advised them to leave Persia and seek safety in India. Following his counsel they launched their ships, put their wives and children on board, set sail and steering for India dropped anchor at the island ot Diu on the south coast of Kathiawar. They landed and settled for 19 years. Then an aged priest reading the stars told them that they must leave Diu and seek another abode. They started gladly and set sail forGujarat. ¦4' <4.“ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' - near Bombay. These writings were long the settlement is 716 AD, and this, though thought to be forgeries, but the latest ; opinion seem.s to show that they are Behram? The storm fell and a gentle date 721 AD at which the first fire-temple genuine and are the names of a party of breeze brought them safe to shore near Sanjan. One of the priests went as spokes ­ man to Jadi Rana, apparently a Yadav chief of south Gujarat, and asked perniis- sion to settle in the land. The chief, afraid of so large a body of armed strangers, called on the priest to explain their reli ­ gion and customs. The priest told him that they honored the cow, water, fire, the sun and moon, that they wore a sacred girdle, and had strict rules about the ceremonial impurity of women. He prom ­ ised that they would do no harm and would help the chief against his enemies. The chief was still somewhat afraid, but on their agreeing to learn the language of final defeat of Yazdezard in 641 AD, and the country, to make their women dress like Hindu women, to cease to wear arms, and to hold their marriages at night, he allowed them to choose a spot for their of the Abbasid family. Two separate settlement. A temple for the holy fire of bodies of settlers are required not only to Behram was begun and by the help of the Hindu chief was soon finished . The settle ­ ment prospered, the management of its affairs was left in the hands of the faith ­ ful, and the desert and forest grew as rich portance ofthe original band of refugees, as Iran. According to this account the Parsis settled at Sanjan in the year 775 AD. But among the Parsis the accepted date for On the way they were overtaken by a tempest; and the priests in fear of ship ­ wreck prayed for help to the angel of doubtful authority, is supported by the is said to have been finished. The truth would seem to be, as Wil ford has sug ­ gested, that the poetic account has mixed Religious disputes raged whether the face should or should not be covered with a cloth the history of at least two bands of refu ­ gees, one who lied from Persia after the the other who were driven away about 750 AD by the increased religious strict ­ ness that prevailed under the first Khalils explain the two set of dates (716 AD and 775 AD), but to account for the very sudden increase which the poetic ac ­ count describes in the strength and im- Family of Dastur Darab Sohrab Kumana who consecrated the first fire-temple for the Kadmis at his Surat residence. Source: Parsi Lustre on Indian Soil Parsi pleasure-seekers who visited the Kanheri caves early in the 10th century. About the same time as these Pahlavi writings at Kanheri (916 AD) Masudi notices that there were many fire-temples in Sindh and in India, and about 50 years later fire-worshippers and fire-temples are mentioned at Cheul. Towards the close of the 11 th century Parsis were one of the chief classes of traders in Cambay. The Navsari settlement is said to date from 1142 AD. There were Parsis in Ankleshwar in 1258 AD, as a copy of the Visperad was made there in that year, and they must have been settled at Broach before 1300 AD, as there is a Tower of Silence near Dehgaon dated 1309 AD, and there is a still an older tower near Vejalpur. The dates of the settlement at Vankanir and of the ill-fated colony at Variav are not known. Sanjan though sometimes confounded with the place of the same name in Kach^ is mentioned by most Arab travelers ofthe 10th and 11th centuries. No special reference to its' Parsis has been traced, but in the^2th century Idrisi (1153 AD) speaks of its people as rich, warlike, hardworking and clever. After the Parsis had been settled nearly 600 years in Sanjan, their Rajput over- lord was attacked by the Musalmans After they were firmly established at Sanjan the Parsis spread as settlers and merchants north to Navsari, Variav, Broach, Ankleshwar, Vankanir and Cambay, and south to Thana and Cheul about 20 miles south of Bombay. Of Parsis ofthe early part ofthe lOth century under Alp Khan, the general of Muham- there are some traces in Pahlavi writings in one of the Kanheri caves in Salsette mad Shah or Ala-ud-din Khilji (1295- 1315 AD). According to the poetic ac- V 4' *1, '.to ir 36 Parsiana May 1998 4 V" "H '* ----- ..JSL’ I? t , • bhZT 3"- V Icount, in answer to their chief s appeal righteousness and wrought miracles. He Gujarat caused by the very keen for help, 1,400 mail-clad Parsi horsemen under the leadership of one Ardeshir changed the fortune of the first fight and drove back the Musalman anny. Next day the fight was renewed and Alp Khan prevailed. Ardeshir was slain, and the Parsis were driven from Sanjan. Those brought to Bansda or about 26 years after who escaped fled, taking their sacred fire to the Bahrot hills about eight miles east of Sanjan. For 12 years the Parsis remained in hiding, preserving the fire, but appar ­ ently giving up most of their peculiar customs. At last, probably when in the latter part of the century Muhammadan power declined, they left their hiding place in the hills and came to Bansda bringing the sacred fire. The people of Bansda received them kindly and led them into the city with much respect. Under the weak and tolerant rule of the laterMusalman governors the Parsis again cent fire-temple at Navsari and bad the prospered, and from every clime the descendants of Zoroaster came with abun ­ dance of wealth to worship the sacred fire of Behram. Bansda was not less prosper ­ ous than Sanjan had been. Then a Dawar or religious layman south Gujarat was perhaps owing to an named Changa Asa arose, who showed influx ofParsis from the northern cities ot renewed and spread the true faith and if Musalman spirit brought into the govern- any Parsi had not a sacred shirt and girdle ment of the country by Muzaffar Khan Asa paid for their cost and arranged the (1391-1403 AD) and his grandson Sultan affairs of the faith. According to the Kisseh-i-Sanjaii this Dawar flourished 14 years after the sacred fire had been The rivalry between the different European trading companies was a great gain to the Parsis the fall of Sanjan. But nearly a hundred years must have passed, for it was this Dawar who in 1419 AD built a magnili- sacred fire brought from Bansda with great pomp by three Sanjan high priests, Nagan Ram, Khorshed Kamdin and Chaya Sahiar. This great increase of Parsi power in influx of'Parsis from the northern eities of Ahmad (1413-1443 AD). At the same time the sudden increase in numbers and religious zeal seem to point to the arrival of Zoroastrian refugees from the rigor of Timur ’s rule in Persia (1386-1405 AD) and Upper India. According to Ogilby (1670 AD) in the beginning of the 15th century many strangers from Persia landed in Gujarat and settling quietly along the coast made known to the Gujarat Parsis their forgot ­ ten descent, instructed them in their reli ­ gion, and taught them to serve God. Further it would seem from the mention of the Dawar ’s miracles, of his supplying sacred shirts and girdles, and of his not only renewing and confirming but also extending and advancing the faith, that part of the increase in the strength of the Parsis was due to the conversion of Hin­ dus. Changa Asa continued the practice, which is known to be at least as old as the beginning of the 14th century, of refer ­ ring doubtful religiodS questions for the opinion of the learned priests of Persia. After his death the practice was contin- 38 Parsiana May 1998 ¦^1 * II,- ued and the replies of the Persian priests the emperor Akbar, they sent learned have been collected and fonn a work of authority known as the Revayets. These replies show that there were Parsi settle ­ ments in Navsari, Broach, Ankleshwar, Cambay and Surat. It seems also that about the middle of the 15th century some Parsis, either from Upper India or from Gujarat, were settled in the north of Gujarat at Chandrauli apparently Chandravati near Mount Abu. In the 16th century the Portuguese writer Garcia d’Orta (1535 AD) notices a curious class of merchants and shop ­ keepers who were called Coaris, that is Gaurs, in Bassein, and Esparis, that is Parsis, in Cambay. The Portuguese called them Jews, but they were no Jews, for they were uncircumcised and ate pork. Besides they came from Persia and had a curious written character, strange oaths, and many foolish superstitions, taking charge of Abul Fazl, and that alter the their dead out by a special door and exposing their bodies till they were de­ stroyed. Though very few traces of their mis ­ sionary efforts remain, the Parsis seem, even as late as the close of the 16th century, to have been anxious to make converts. In 1578 AD, at the request of the sacred shirt and girdle, and in return granted the Gujarat priest Meherji Rana an estate at Ghelkhari near Navsari, and pricsts both from Navsari and from Kirman in Persia to explain the Zoroas ­ trian faith. They found Akbar a ready his descendants have since (1580-1898 listener and a willing believer and taught him their peculiar terms, ordinances, rites Though very few traces of their missionary efforts remain, the Parsis seem to have been anxious to make converts and ceremonies. Akbar issued orders that the sacred fire should be made over to the AD) been the chief priests at Navsari. At the close of the century Abul Fazl (1590 AD) in his account of Surat notices the followers of Zerdusht who practised the doctrine of the Zend and Pazend and made use of sepulchres. Early in the 17th century (1616 AD) the Parsis of Surat are described as dressing like other people except that they did not shave the head and that the men allowed the beard to grow long. They were a hardworking people, living by all kinds of husbandry, sowing and setting herbs, planting vines and palm and other fruit trees. The rivalry between the different European trading companies was a great gain to the Parsis. As early as 1620 AD a Parsi was the leading native servant of the English Company, knowing already ‘a medioc- manner of the kings of Persia in whose temples blazed perpetual fires Fazl should rity of the English tongue. ’ lake care that the sacred fire was never allowed to go out either by night or by Lord, an English chaplain, who in 1620 day, for that it was one of the signs of God and one light from among the many lights of his creation. Akbar, according to Portuguese accounts, was invested with The Parsis attracted the notice of Mr I r 'g AD drew up the first European account of their history and religion. A few years later (1626 AD) Sir Thomas Herbert also - wrote a sketch of their history and teli- With compliments from B. B. GARDA & SONS 10 B. J. Road, Poona 411001 41 Parsiana May 1998! gion. He notices that on board the ship that took him from Surat to Gombroon in the Persian Gulf there were 600 slaves. Parsis, Gentoos, Banians and others. In 1638 AD Mandelslo describes the Surat Bijapur territories craftsmen work for Parsis as not particularly tall but fairer than other natives and the women much prettier. The men wore the beard full and round and either wore the hair long or shaved the head except the topknot. Ex­ cept that they wore a girdle of wool or camel ’s hair, both men and women dressed in the same way as other people. Their houses were small, dark and badly furnished. They seldom ate animal food, though, except that of the ox, cow, el ­ ephant, camel and hare, flesh was not forbidden them. They drank liquor but Thevenot notices that they are called Except the sash they dressed like Hindus, not to excess. They lived by growing Guabres and Ateshpcrcst. They were very ingenious and for the tobacco, drawing palm-juice, banking, A few years later Ogilby (1670 AD) most part maintained themselves with trading, shopkeeping, and the practice of summed up the available information tilling, buying and selling fruit, tapping crafts except smith ’s work and other regarding the Parsis. According to him palm trees, and keeping taverns. Some callings in which fire is used. they came about 640 AD in a fleet of traded and others practised all crafts but They were better tempered than the seven ships, some said as many as I8,(XX) smith ’s work. A few were servants, but Musalmans, but they were the greediest, men, women and children. The people those were accounted unclean and unbe- busiest people in the world, using all their from five of the ships settled at Sanjan, lievers. Most of them were covetous and skill to cheat in trade though they ob- those from another at Variav near Surat, hard, very deceitful in their dealings, no jected to other forms of robbery. They : were found all along the coast and were , allowed by the Musalmans to settle their religion and even their name. At length own disputes. Parsis seem, but the mean ­ ing of the passage is rather doubtful, to have been settled in large numbers in the Konkan, a.s Mandelslo says that in the the name of Persians was made known to them by some men from Persia who instructed them in their religion and taught them to serve God. After this many Per ­ sians came and settled along the sea coast and lived quietly among the natives. Musalmans, Hindus and Parsis who are there in greater number than cither Their bodies were about the middle size, their faces pale and generally fairer than the faces of Europeans, especially the women who excelled all other women of the country in beauty. The men, who were generally hooknosed, wore great round beards and on their heads either long black hair or short hair with a lock on the crown. They dwelt in dark houses meanly furnished in a ward by them­ selves. They did not eat cows or pigs. If any Parsi had not a sacred shirt and girdle Change Asa paid for their cost Dakhcinis or Kanarins. In 1660 AD Guabres and Ateshpcrcst. A few years later Ogilby (1670 AD) they came about 640 AD in a fleet of seven ships, some said as many as 18,(XX) men, women and children. The people from five of the ships settled at Sanjan, those from another at Variav near Surat, and those from the seventh at Cambay. Afterwards they forgot their origin, their way inclined to whc^ing or theft, and meek and compassionate in their conver ­ sations. Their chief fire-temple tyas at PRUDENTIAL SHIPPING AGENCIES PRIVATE LIMITED Shipping agents, cargo brokers and container operators 55A/63A, Walchand Hirachand Marg, Opp G.P.O., Mumbai 400001, India Tel: 2692787 (10 Lines), Fax: 2652841, Tlx: 11 82307 PSAB IN Email: g=prudential / s=bom / p=gems ! a=vsnl / c=in Internet: prudential. bom@gems.vsnl.net. in Registered Office: 77, Mint Road, Fort, Mumbai 400001, India Tel: 2694203, 2659055, 2658396 Branches Bombay — Nhava Sheva — Kandla — New Delhi — Ludhiana — Ahmedabad 42 Parsiana May 1998 I *q r Navsari, where they had kept the fire high a character for kindliness and for the burning for about 250 years. orderly management of the affairs of According to Fryer (1674 AD) the their community, serious troubles were Parsis were found south of the Tapti about 40 miles along the coast and about 20 miles inland. They had tied from Persia and been made free denizens by longstanding rivalry prevailed regard- the Indians before the Moors were mas ­ ters. They were some ­ what whiter and he thought nastier than the Gentoos. The whole family lived to- not unknown. At Navsari between the two bodies of priests, the original priests and those who had come from Sanjan, a BOYS’ TOWN Public School Nasik 2 ing the right to perform certain ceremo ­ nies. Some disaf ­ fected members of the original Navsari priesthood increased the ill-feeling and aided the Sanjan priests. In 1686 AD the dispute passed into a fight, in which the Navsari section killed six laymen who had taken the side of the Sanjan priests. For this outrage 12 of the Navsari They lived by growing tobacco, drawing palm-juice, gether and respected banking,trading, the eldest brother if the father was dead. They ate fish and flesh and drank wine. They were husbandmen rather than merchants, not caring to go abroad. They supplied the marine with carts drawn by oxen and the ships with wood and priests were taken to Surat and impris- water. They worshipped the sun and had oned. Meanwhile the Navsari laymen a fire-temple at Navsari, and exposed began to employ the Sanjan section as their dead in round tombs that the vul- their household priests. As the Sanjan ture,s and ravenou.s fowls might entomb priests had till then served only in the them. Ovington a few years later (1690 AD) calls the Parsis a very considerable sect. Their tradition was that they had come to India fleeing from Muhammad and that they were saved from being strong that they could not remain. In wrecked by the crowing of a cock. They worshipped fire, and if their houses were on fire, would be persuaded to pour oil to increase rather than water to assuage the flame. A Parsi servant who is commanded to bring a hot steel and warm with it a bowl of punch will plead his excuse, and that he dare not hasten the coolness of the steel by a violent abatement of the heat. At their solemn festivals they went, a hundred or two together, to the suburbs, each bringing his victuals and distributin equally. They were hardworking and diligent, careful to train their children to arts and labor. They were the chief men of the loom in all the country. They showed a firm affection to all of their own sentiments in religion, helping the poor and providing for the needy. They torn by these disputes, in the beginning left no man destitute, and did not suffer a beggar in all their tribe. After about another 20 years (1710 AD) they are described as good carpenter.s and ship ­ builders, exquisite weavers and em­ broiderers. They made silks, especially the fine Broach and Navsari silks called hastas, worked in ivory and agate, and distilled strong waters. Though strangers gave the Parsis so Recognised as a Public School by the Department of Educa ­ tion for Indian Merit Scholars. Excellent Climate -- All­ round Education. 43 Parsiana May 1998 shopkeeping, and the practice of crafts temple, this led to a fresh disturbance, and in 1733 AD the Sanjan priests, taking their fire with them, went to Surat. After three years they came back to Navsari. But party feeling was so 1741 AD the Sanjan faction asked the Maratha governor to let them retire to Balsar. They stayed in Balsar for a year and then on October 28, 1742 moved to Udvada, where the original Sanjan fire has since remained. Besides these struggles among the priests several religiou.s disputes raged at this time. Two of these were whether the legs ofa corpse should be stretched or folded, and whether the face should or should not be covered with a cloth, them These disputes have not yet been settled; the factions into which the community was then divided still (1898 AD) exist. The third dispute as to the proper reck ­ oning of the year ended in the division of the Parsis into Shchenshahis and Kadmis. Though the community was A new two-storeyed dormitory with attached bathrooms, study and lounge rooms has just been completed to house 180 boys. All Academic Subjects — Technical Subjects: Work ­ shop Technology, Mechanical & Electrical Maintenance, Carpentery & Farming. Train ­ ing in Self-Government through Elected Boys ’ Office bearers. Games — Physical Training. Daily Assembly- with Congregational Prayers — Weekly intensive Zoroas- trian-Geeta-Koran classes. Excellent Modern Kitchen and Dining Room facilities. Moderate Fees. Concessions and even freeship to Deserving Students. ¦f a e of the I Sth century there was a notable advance in the Parsi knowledge of their sacred books and languages. This was due to the efforts of a Persian priest named Jamasp who visited Gujarat about 1720 AD. He left an accurate copy ofa Zend-Pahlavi Veiididadand established small centers of Zend and Pahlavi schol ­ arship in Surat, Navsari and Broach. To he continued. Children of priests-freeship. Navar Martab facility. Also arrangement to send such boys at Trust expense to their vari ­ ous destinations, so that they are in touch with performing religious rituals. Also further studies after SSC can be ar ­ ranged if desired. Apply to THE MANAGING TRUSTEE P. N. MEHTA EDUCATION TRUST Cooks Building, 3rd Floor 324, Dr D. N. Road Bombay 400001? ¦ I With best wishes from Farah & Tanya 45 Parsiana May 1998 IN SEARCH OF JUSTICE continued from page 20 was Nowrojee ’s fourth visit to India, primarily to visit her ailing maternal grandmother who passed away in Bombay. Doongerwadi was a new and strange experience to one used to burial in Nairobi. The chanting of the Avestan prayers had a “hypnotic quality ” and by the end of the fourth day helped put the death behind you, ” she told Parsiana in the course of an interview in February this year. Nowrojee estimates an Indian popu ­ lation in Kenya of about 200,000 of which only about 60 are Zoroastrians, mostly settled in Nairobi. They generally get together for Navroze, births, deaths and weddings and there are very few children left among them, she notes. There is no agiary or Zoroastrian cem­ etery. The only property is a hall with a “lot of controversy about what to do with it.” Nowrojee ascribes her own knowl ­ edge of the Zarathushti faith to what her paternal grandmother had taught her. Married since four years to architect and urban planner Gabriel Abraham, an American of Ethiopian origin who is busy with international housing projects, largely in Egypt but also in India, the couple is Boston based. “Ethiopia re ­ minds me of India a lot, ” says the lady who describes herself as “a bit of an international gypsy. ” The similarities, according to her, lie in the crowdedness, the proximity of poverty and wealth, the fondness for gold jewelry. Of course, Ethiopia is “l/lOth the scale ” of India, she clarifies. For the past 10 years Nowrojee has devoted an hour a day to yoga. Her other hobbies are knitting and cross-stitch embroidery. She “loves travelling, ” which is perfect for her profession, and eating out, describing herself as “a bad cook.” India and Turkey are two of the most interesting places she ha.s visited because of the juxtaposition of “new and old, the sophistication of culture, the contrasts of jeans and burkhas! ” But she is happy she got to see the Kremlin and the Pyramids. Three months a year in Africa with lots of travel, Nowrojee ’s life on the road leads to a passing regret that “things I should do don’t get done.” Also that in Liberia and Rwanda one can “barely find a T-shirt for a gift.” In Bombay she hoped to make up for some of those deficits. One of her destination.s in the city wasChimanlal ’s for some handmade paper products. Also Mani Bhavan... 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 sljow 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 ?ni DOLBY STtR^ Sound System itMILESTONES The age of Zoroastrian brides — as listed in this issue — ranged between 22 and 34 years, the arithmetic mean (the total number of individual ages di­ vided by the total number of brides) being 26 years. The cor­ responding figure.s for the grooms were 25 and 34 years, averaging al 29 years. Compared to 88 Zoroastri­ ans who were consigned to the Bombay Towers of Silence, there were 12 babies born in the month of April in the city. The major killer, heart disease, claimed 32 lives of whom 12 were above the age of 80. Pneu- monia/lung disease took a toll of 14 lives whereas eight vic­ tims fell prey to cancer and four hospitals and private nursing each to hypertension, brain dis­ ease and old age/general debil­ ity. Two patients each suc­ cumbed to asthma, Parkinson’s disease and septicemia. In April there were 15 isolated case.s reg­ istered. They were: astrocytoma (a slowly growing tumor of the glial tissue of brain and cord), tuberculosis, shock due to hemorrhage, hematoma (a swelling filled with blood), kid­ ney failure, asphyxia (suffoca­ tion), aids, arteriosclerosis (de­ generative arterial change asso­ ciated with advancing age), Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, gastro-enteritis, bronchitis, bed sores, dyspnoea (difficulty in, or labored breathing) and ‘o' AHMEDABAD DIED Erach Cowasji Mehta on April 22, 1998 i BOMBAY BORN A boy to Zarin and Minoo Chawda', April 1 A boy to Firozee and Jimmy Hansotia', April 1 A boy to Benaaz and Rayomand Irani', April 1 A girl to Nergish and Homiyar Madam, April 3 A girl to Behnaz and Farzin Faramarzi', April 4 A boy to Parizad and Khushru Sudry, April 6 A girl to Arnaz and Firoze Mirza', April 13 A girl to Khushnuma and Arzan Khambatta, sister to falciparum malaria. A stillborn baby boy was also lost to the community. Ages at death ranged between 41 and 97 years. The Zoroastrian life expectancy at birth, in Bombay, in April, was 75 years. The data on births, marriages and deaths ha.s been compiled April 17 from information supplied by Behroze Viraf Panthaki and various newsletters and anju- mans in India and abroad, courts and hospitals. Thi.s information i.s not alway.s complete or con­ sistent: we are unable to carry data from areas where the anjumans do not furnish the par­ ticulars; the birth figures for Bombay are supplied by four hospitals — births in suburban home.s are not included unless individuals send us information together with a copy ofthe 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/dealhs they would like published, some proof to ensure the veracity of the report would be required. Wc are sure our readers would appreciate this requirement and cooperate with us. Pezan; April 14 A boy to Dilaici and Sorah Cetnteenwallcr, April 15 A girl to Vuhiz and Damyas Dast()(>r\ April IS A boy to Hiiiaxi and Kersi Divechrr, April 22 A girl to Tanaz and Jeluinhax Bharda', April 2S MARRIED Roxane Dinsliaw Adenwalla and Einch Adi Mody, April 3 Navaz Dadi Pandiaki and Neville Zarir Mehta', April 4 Monaz Khnrxlied Valarwalla of Thane and Jimmy Ratansliaw Gtiaid', April 5 Shiraz. Minoo Khajotia and Farrokh Darah Choksey, April J Kaxhmira Feroze Patel of Belapur, New Bombay and Rumi Dara Mistry, April 10 Sherna Dhunjishaw Gazder and Cyrus Erach Cooper, April 12 Nazneen Navroz Wadia and Homi Jal Rao', April 12 Farzana Firoz. Khamhata and Rayomand Dali DaruwalEr, Homiyar Aspi Banker, April'19 Farah Keki Gorimar and Percy Sohrab Madorn, April 19 Yasmin Sorabji Cooper and Berges Bonn Kala/tesi', April 24 DIED Aloo Kaikashru Kharas (75), residing at C,/o M. F. Daver, 808, Aimai Manzil, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; April 1 Adi Dinshaw Mistry (65), Habib Hse, Grant Rd Corner, 4()0()()7; April 1 Pesi Pirojshaw Mis try (84), 18, Toddywala Bldg, Sopari Bang Rd, Parel, 400013; April 1 Meherwemji Ratanshaw Moos (85), Palkhiwala Hsc, Shahid Bhagat Singh Rd, Fort, 400001; April 1 Dara Gustadji Tarajforewalla (57), Pcrin Villa, Ramwadi, Dahanu Rd, Dist Thane, 401602; April 1 Hoshang Dhunjishaw Elavia (47), F-21, Cusrow Bang, S. B. Rd, 400039; April 2 Erach Manchershaw Sadry (55), 795, Family Hse, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; April 2 Perin Dhunjishaw Netervala (78), 16-D, 11-Palazzo, Little Gibbs Rd, Malabar Hill, 400006; April 3 Dady Kawasji Kapadia (83), 576, Girgaum Rd, Corner of Chandanwadi, 400002; April 4 Jamshed Hormusji Bharucha (63), B-l, Captain Clny, Tardeo, 400034; April 5 Farokh Kaikhusroo Bhedwar (58), 5/17, Mahalaxmiwalla Bldg, Sleater Rd, 400007; April 5 Nadirsha Maneckji Italia (79), 13/A, Sidhwa Bldg, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; April 5 Arnavaz. Jamshedji Karbhari (46), 664/7, Roshan Mans, Rd 13, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; April 5 Soonamai Godrej Cooper (84), C-10, Jer Bang, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla 400027; April 6 Behram Rustom Mehta (67), 87, Janmabhoomi Marg, Fort, 400001; April 6 Minoo Ctiwasha Boomla (70), 4, Adi Abad Est, A. B. Nair Rd, Juhu, 400049; April 7 Dinshaw Burjorji Daji (82), 13, Sargent Hse, Allana Rd, 400001; April 7 Goal Darab Pooniwala (60), C-10/16, Jeevaq Ter, Bima Ngr, Borivli (W), 400103; April 7 Soona Eruch Shroff CIS'), 268, Supari Baug Rd, Parel, 400012; April 7 Mani Shiavax Daruwalla (86), Naju Manor, 14 Oliver Rd, Colaba, 400(^39; April 8 Najamai Darabshaw Patel (83), 816, Mistry Bldg, Jame * Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; April 8 Darayes Mancliershaw Vakharia (62), Sheri Hse, Gunbow St, Fort, 400001; April 8 Goolbai Jehanbux Daritwala (82), 145, Daruwala Bldg, Alibhai Preniji Marg, Grant Rd, 400007; April 9 Soli Ardeshir Navadar (81), M-16, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; April 9 Nargis Aspi Photographer (63), B-24, Godrej Baug, Off Napean Sea Rd, 400026; April 10 Burjor Peshotan ^amji (79), 800, Burjor Behram Bldg, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; April 11 Farud Rustoin Salori (70), 625, Nariman Bldg, Dhobitalao, 400002; April 11 Banoo Pesi Chinoy (68), E-2/506, Bharat Ngr, 342, Grant Rd, 400007; April 12 Homai Adi Hodiwalla (67), 7/25-B, Old Wadia Bldg, Chandanwadi, J. S. S. Rd, 400002; April 12 Najamai Jamas Mullan (78), 7, Readymoney Bldg, M. Joshi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; April 13 Burjor Sorabji Patel (62), 9/4, Tata Blocks, Tardeo, 400034; 46 Parsiana May 1998April 13 Nargis Kensa Wadia (80), 10, Hira Meher, Wodehouse Rd, Colaba, 400005; April 13 Jainshedji Naoroji Paliwalla (91), 2/B, Empire Ter, N. Petit St, Grant Rd, 400007; April 14 Tehmi (Tehmina) Edulji Patel (82), 101-102, Kooka Sadan, . Dr Ambedkar Rd, Parel, 400012; April 14 Goal Merwanji Bardi (84), Patanwalla Mhl, Byculla, ' 400027; April 15 Nassarwanji Dadahhoy Fitter (81), E/3, Captain Clny, Tardeo Rd, 400034; April 15 Co«v('/75az Jehangiiji Golwalla I'm 146, Old Modi St, Vasaigara Hse, Fort, 400001; April 15 Jini iHavavi) Phiroze Gutta (13), 638, Joshi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; April 15 Dina PItiroj Patel (80), M3/33, M. Cama Park, Cama Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; April 15 Gev Erucljsliaw Sethna (41), Cl(y Khorshed R. Vakil, Gildana Bldg, 29th Rd, Bandra, 400050; April 16 Adi Jehangirji Bainboat (81), 12, Sheridan Hse, 72-A, August Kranti Marg, 400036; April 17 Bahadur Nasarwanji Driver (^6), Ganga Devi Bhavan, Uranwala St, 4()()()07; April 17 Naval Jainshedji Antia (79), 12, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo Rd, 400007; April 18 Sheroa Dadiha Kalrak (83), 12, C. M. Banaji Bldg, Forjetl St, Gowalia Tank, 400036; April 18 Maneck Dad(d)lwy Lakdawalla (12), Shirin Mans, Trinity St, Dhobilalao, 400002; April 18 Zarir Harinusji Dadrawalla (11), Khudabux Bldg, Mazgaon T. T., 400010; April 19 Edul Kaikhuxhrao Duhaxh CSl), Minoeher Block, 6, M. P. Agiary Lane, Grant Rd, 400007; April 19 Teluni Paul Kotliavala (92), Sakina Mans, Oliver Rd, 400001; April 19 Dhuninai Maneck.sha Lakdawalla (83), B/16, Aidun Bldg, Dhobitalao, 400002; April 19 Hillan Din-ihaw Wadia (11), 660, Avan, Palamkote Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; April 19 Male baby of Behroze Nozer Colah (stillborn), 679, Kudina Bldg, Kalrak Rd, Wadala, 400031; April 20 Soli Ruslainji Khodaiji (68), 4/1, Wadia Block, Malcolm Baug, jogeshwari (W), 400t()2; April 20 Dadv Sarahji Major (89), Old Petit Mans, 85, N. Bharucha Rd, 400007; April 20 Frenv Dinshaw Mistry (74), Venkclesh Chmb, Prescot Rd, 400001; April 20 Pupa Fraser Musa (77), C/o Khorshed Bhada, G-1, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; April 20 Ratanhai Farainji Panthaki (91), C/o Behram Edulji Panthaki, 598/A, Wadia Bldg, Girgaum Rd, 400002; April 20 Soli Dinshawji Vesuna (67), 73/189, Hirabai Petit Bldg, Opp Grant Rd Stn, 400007; April 20 Sarah Hirjihhoy Vesuna (69), 6i3'il9, P. A. Hormarjee Bldg, Dr Dinshaw Master Rd, Dadar, 400014; April 20 Minoa Behrain Aga (84), 16/76, West View, Sion (W), 400022; April 21 Phiroze Jainshedji Bharucha (88), 9/2, Wadia Block, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; April 21 Mitha Pirojsha Buhariwalla (78), 23, Petit Widows’ Chwl, 133, Mody St, Fort, 400001; April 21 Dhuninai Burjorji Hataria (82), 4/20, Dhunjibhoy Bldg, Off Sleater Rd, 400007; April 21 CvrM.v Darabshah Masters (71), 6, Wadia Bldg, Babulnath, Chowpatty, 400007; April 21 Hilla Horinusji Mistry (88), C/6, Jer Baug, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla, 400027; April 21 Jainshed Dhanjishaw Benga­ lee (74), C/12, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; April 22 Boman Pestonji Daruwalla (80), 51/18, Contractor Bldg, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla, 400027; April 23 Nergez Jehangir Driver (79), Cote D’Azur, 65/A, B. Desai Rd, 400026; April 23 Mehroo Minocher Engineer (75), 3, Hormuz ftldg, Dadoji Konddeo Marg, Byculla, 400027; April 23 With Best Wishes From Mr Rusy M. Shroff, M.B.E. and Mrs Purviz R. Shroff M Parsiana May 1998Minoo Rustomji Homiar {12), New Khan Bldg, Chikalwadi, Tardeo, 400007; April 24 Gulcher Piroze Karai (84), M-2, Cusrow Bang, S. B. Rd, 400039; April 24 Shirinbai Darasha Masalawalla (97), Bhiwandi Hse, 92, Cumballa Hill, 400026; April 25 Dhanjishaw Rustomji Mistry (85), 20, Dhanjibhoy Bldg, Sleater Rd, 400007; April 25 Dhunjishaw Ardeshir Patell (88), 2, Jamshedji Tata Bldg, Tata Blocks, S. V. Rd, Bandra, 400050; April 25 Aloo Jal Kalianiwala (78), 631/B, Dinoo Villa, Joshi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; April 26 Minoo Jivanji Patel (69), B-102, Ahura Co-op Hsg Soc, Dr S. S. Rao Rd, Lalbaug, 400012; April 26 Jeroo Rustom Vakil (67), Roxana, 109, M. Karve Rd, 400020; April 26 Eruchshaw Jehangir Dalal (74), 83, Hirabai Petit Bldg, Opp Grant Rd Stn (E), 400007; April 27 Hoshang Muncherji Dalal {15), 6-A, Brighton-I, Napean Sea Rd, 400006; April 27 Firoze Pirojsha Maju {IS), D. B. Khan Blocks, Golanji Hill Rd, Parel, 400012; April 27 Phiroze Homi Patel (68), B/4, Tardeo Chmbs, Kashinath St, Tardeo, 400034; April 27 Bachamai Dhunjishaw Bharucha (84), N/37, Nowroz Bang, Lalbaug, 4(X)0I2; April 28 Shirin Daneshmand Elavia (79), 514/C, Gold Finch, R. P. Masani Rd, Matunga, 400019; April 28 Dhunjishah Maneckshah Fitter (60), 14, Lady Navajbai Tata Bldg, Tata Blocks, S. V. Rd, Bandra (W), 400050; April 28 Bejon Jal Parakh (72), S/14, Dalal Est, Opp Bombay Centra], 400008; April 28 Mehra Ponchaji Kharas (85), Chaman Chmbs, First Marine St, 400020; April 29 Coover Sorabji Patel (79), Wimbridge Hse, 20/D, Sleater Rd, Grant Rd, 400007; April 29 Nariman Kooverji Patel (87), 1, Haji Habib Bldg, 182, Dr B. Ambedkar Rd, Dadar, 400014; BIRTHS Boys Girls MARRIAGES Parsi INTERCOMMUNAL Males married out Females married out DEATHS CONSIGNED Males Females CREMATED Males Females Bombay This issue 11 49 39 FIGURES AT A GLANCE* India This issue 1998* 30 26 111 157 168 1998* 36 27 Woild This issue 1998* 15 7 14 15 ?Running totals for 1998 (January-May issues) Overseas deaths are listed in the consigned column as Parsiana does not have a breakup of those cremated. ‘These figures pertain to information provided to or collected by Par sian a. They do not represent the total number of births, marriages and deaths in the Zoroastrian community in India al^d abroad. April 29 Khorshed Darahshaw Vajifdar ¦i92), 3Q3, Irani Bldg, Cawasji Hormusji St, Dhuswadi, 400002; April 30 SECUNDERABAD MARRIED Rukshana S. Chenoy and Kairaz. J. Dadi’ , February 2 Sanaya K. Antia and Farhad E. Chichgar’ , February 6 Hira Adi Mody and Vispy Pcsi Saher, March I DIED Jalamai Hormusjee Baldawalla (87); January 3 Mehernosh Dadi Banaii (55)' April 9 Maharukh Farced Italia (52); April 21 SURAT DIED Piroza Navrozi Dahliwala Ankita Apt, Vanki Bordi, 395003; April 1 Firoze Hiraji Daruwala (68), Joshi Block, Shahpore, 395003; April 2 Parinhanoo Faramroz Jesang (88), Bhavnagri St, Vanki Bordi, 395003; April 4 Jarbanoo Pastanji Tadiwala (Jh), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; April 10 Beharamsha Rustamji Wadia (87), Machlipith, 395003; April 22 Tehmina Darahshaw Besania (82), Village Kharvan, Taluka Mahva, Dist Surat; April 25 Banubai Rustamji Lakadawala Spenta Amalsdd, daughter of (74), Machlipith, 395003; Bapsy and Jimmy, and Cyrus April 27 Unwalla of Karachi, son of ••• Roshni and Noshir; April 9 RM 17 5QW; March 15 > Hoshany Shapurji Bhavnagri (64), Flat 5, Leigh Heath Court, London Rd, Leigh-on- Sea; April 15 London MARRIED AUSTRALIA New South Wales BORN A girl, Friyana, to Yasmin and Kersey Cooper, April 2 CANADA Ontario BORN A girl, Tara, to Mitra and Bahram Jam, sister to Nadia; April 9 HOLLAND Amsterdam DIED Dinshaw (Nuswanji) Maneck- jee Petit (63); March 30 UK Essex DIED Paricher Michael Cox (59), 80, Rushdon Close, Grays, Middlesex BORN A boy, Furdoon, to Benaifer and Khushroo Bhandari', February 22 A boy, Athravan, to Roda and Farhad Sethna\ March 15 A boy, Sarosh, to Veera and Rohinton Kazak, brother to Sohrab and Rustom; March 16 DIED Bachan N. Anklesaria (96), 36, Chandos Rd, Harrow, HAl 4QX; April 13 Surrey BORN A boy, Rustom, to Vera and Farrokh Parekh, brother to Darius and Zubin; March 15 Compiled by Roxana A. Driver 6 6 4 8 3 3 3 2 3 1 < 4 7 3 2 A 48 Parsiana May 1998