Oct 1998

I' I I 1 ¦x 'h. <|| ’J ? I ifl ¦*1 1 Y .* t tt If t j A riS "•z. Xi*October 1998 Volume 21 Number 3 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 Jasmine D. Driver ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Susan Hadvaid FINANCE B. L. Arora DTP Bakhtavar R. Batliwalia, 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 11 Events and Personalities 17 Zoroastrians Abroad 22 The Greening of Doongerwadi by Parinaz Gandhi 32 Air Vice Marshal Manekshaw: Under his able wings* 36 19th century Gujarat Parsis: Near and yet apart - 5 41 Business 44 Irrepressible Rhoda by Dilnavaz Bhagwagar 48 Milestones Cover: Foliage at Bombay’s Doongerwadi 5 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 .vsnl.net. in For subscription enquiries and payments: C/o Kaiser-E-Hind Pvt Ltd, 300 Perin Nariman St (Behind Reserve Bank of India), Bombay 400001. Phone:2658619,2665661. Fax: 2654585. Annual inland subscription for one year (10 issues) Rs 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 1? Readers’ views are welcome on any subject of Interest to the community and should be eent to the Editor, Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400001. Letters are subject to editing for reasone of apace and clarity. Unsigned letters or those without an addresa will not be published. ber of devotees patronizing the same. With all due respect to him, I think this line of thought, while being simple and administratively convenient, lacks fore ­ Council and was the president of The Jabalpur District (Rural) Youth Con ­ gress. It is derogatory to mention that Bej i’s siblings and “half-siblings ” took their sight, share of the inheritance and moved out It is a well-documented fact of his- of Katni and that Beji is now the sole tory that all the currently dilapidated owner of T. C. Bajan and Company, and neglected agiaries which he rightly Nothing could be further from the truth, suggests we merge, used to at one point These four persons only sold off their share of the mining company to Beji, and that too at a very nominal price. Individually, they all own prime prop­ erty in Katni and are partners of T. C. It is a well-documented fact of his- of time, be patronized by a substantial number of devotees. It is true that the number of devotees has substantially reduced with the advent of our demo ­ graphic decline, but does that mean we Bajan and Company Estate A/c which close down our agiaries which have been owns vast properties in and around builtoutofthe very best of construction Katni, including the 200 ft deep lake material and have been ritually, rigor- which surrounds Bostan on three sides ously purified? I really believe that there and from which its occupants get free fish. It would have been better if you had consulted all the family members before of this trend reversing till date. And a publishing such an inaccurate article, day will soon corm^ when this small This makes one doubt the credibility of community becomes extinct in the near your magazine and ponder whether to continue subscribing to it. is concrete, empirical evidence to sug ­ gest that the Parsis as a community are on the decline and there is no evidence future. Those who believe otherwise are living in a fool ’s paradise. But the same cannot be said of Zoroastrianism as a religion which will not only survive but also thrive. In fact there is a school of I was reading f’arsiana (June 1998) and thought that believes - and not without as a religion, will see its past glory again some time in the future. I believe that soon a time may come — if it has not already — when Bombay will become uninhabitable because of D. C. BAJAN Jabalpur ¦4' * was surprised at some “facts ” covered adequate reason —that Zoroastrianism in the cover story on Tehmuras Bajan. In particular, please be aware that the other Bajan siblings did not simply melt away once they transferred residence. All brothers and sisters continue to maintain an active interest in the family the quality of life that is steadily dete ­ riorating. This will gradually lead to a mass exodus to the villages, other small towns, the countryside and even out ­ side the country. And when the wheel has turned full circle and Bombay re ­ gains its position of preeminence of an era gone by, at that time, will we rebuild those agiaries? Even if we do, will they be made out of the same quality of Bajan family whose contributions to construction materials? Will future gen- the development of Katni have been “Mines and the man” I felt very proud when I saw the photo­ graph of my late great grandfather Khan business and activities of Katni. Bahadur Tehmuras Cowasji Bajan on ~ ‘ " the cover of your June issue. However, when I read the cover story “Mines and the man ” I was anguished to find one ­ sided information on the present gen ­ eration of the Bajans. You have men ­ tioned only one person, whereas others have been completely blanked out. They Our apologies to the members of the too have contributed to the society in general. Nergish, wife of Tehmul, the eldest son of Cowasji was the pioneer of inadvertently overlooked — Editor English medium education in Katni. At ... <>«« a time when there were no such schools “Agiaries in excess? in Katni she started a small school called I have read Mr B. T. Dastur ’s letter will at that time to reconstruct them, “Toddlers ’ Academy ” with three stu ­ dents in September 1958. This institu ­ tion is one of the foremost schools in Katni today. Cowasji ’s youngest son Dolly, apart from being associated with . various social and sports organizations ing the present condition of many of our of merging/closing down those reli- was the first chairman of the Municipal sacred places of worship and the num- gious institutions which were con- Tehmuras Bajan runs a school in Katni and this school flourishes to this day. Dolly Bajan too has extensive business interests in Katni. CYRUS SOONAWALLA Lucknow “Agiaries in excess?” erations be able to construct them with the same ritual purity and care and thoughtful planning as demonstrated by our forefathers? Even if we have the will it be possible? Instead of devising a blueprint for the continuity of our community, re ­ versing the declining trend and ulti- very logical and practical one, consider- mately enhancing the numbers, we think (“Agiaries in excess? ” Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, July-August 1998) with inter ­ est and have the following views to offer: His suggestion appears, prima facie, a 2 Parsiana October 1998structed for perpetuity for the benefit of the future generations of our commu ­ nity and even today form the corner ­ stone of the survival of our community. For the current administrative conve ­ nience of a few trustees who cannot manage the affairs of the institutions of which they are mere custodians, can we take it upon ourselves to jeopardize the survival of future generations? It must be very clearly understood that we are merely the custodians of the community ’s wealth, i.e. caretakers of the same for the generations to come and we have no right to extinguish the identity (even through the mechanism of a merger) of an institution we have not created. Knowing Mr Dastur ’s integrity and penchant for accuracy, I have no reason to doubt the veracity of the statistics he has provided, alarming as they may be. But surely, do we not have the resources within the community to maintain these sacred institutions and ensure the sur ­ vival of our community for perpetuity? As per his estimates, what is a mere Rs 100 per day to tend to the holy fires? Consider these liberal estimates. As­ suming that there are 500 agiaries in the world that need to be attended to, the cost works out to Rs 1.83 crores per annum. Further assuming that there are 30,000 working Parsis, dividing that cost per working Parsi works out to a mere Rs 609 per annum or less than a couple of rupees per day. Even if one cuts down the number of working Parsis to 15,000 and doubles the cost of main ­ taining the holy fire simultaneously, the individual contribution figure would just work out to Rs 2,433 per annum. Can ’t those among us who are working, and by the grace of God earning well, afford around Rs 2,400 per year to maintain our holy fires? It is high time those among us who have at any point of time availed of the largesse and generosity of our forefa ­ thers begin to contribute towards the community ’s welfare, its continuity and eventually, to its prosperity; especially those enjoying every conceivable ame ­ nity and facility and who are relatively wealthy and privileged. It is time that an initiative be taken in this direction whereby a small contribution be col ­ lected from those staying in charitable buildings at low rentals towards the community ’s socioeconomic welfare and survival. Think beyond community and commiinalism and think of protect ­ ing our identity as Zoroastrians — be ­ lievers of a faith propounded by our revered Prophet Asho Spitaman Zara- thushtra, followers of a beautifully simple religion called the Mazdayasni Zarathushti daena. Study the religion, revive the interest in our scriptures and strengthen our ethno-religious identity rather than our community identity. De-link the community and commu ­ nity matters from the religion and reli ­ gious matters. The Zoroastrian religious scriptures did not envisage a Parsi com­ munity and there is no provision in the scriptures for sub-divisions. After all, it is our all-pervasive religion that is the single most important unifying factor in our otherwise fractious and minus ­ cule community. KAYOMARZ PATEL Tribute to Sir Petit You were a man so kind and just. And also the president of our School Trust Our residentials will miss your fatherly love But we ’re confident you ’ll watch over us from above. Shocked and surprised at your untimely death, Time is the best healer till then we ’ll fret Death came like a thief that night. In faraway Amsterdam and out of our sight! For sports and for concert you were always there, Interested and concerned and enjoyed the affair — The performances you said “as usual were good, ” The preparation and provision you well understood. We ’ll miss your presence very much. Your genial smile and personal touch. You had many dreams and miles to go But God had his way and rightly so. Yes, God has His ways and He knows best And called you to your eternal rest, Hope all your dreams for us come true And your aspirations followed too — A philanthropist, a charitable and a truly great man You always were there with your guiding hand. By the new millennium we ’ll be computer literate We ’ll miss your encouragement Sir Dinshaw Petit. Farewell dear heart and rest in peace. Cherished memories of you will never cease For in Petit School you played a big part, Fond memories of you will linger in our heart. FAY FERREIRA Sure revival It seems, our great religion is forgotten And uncared for by a recent generation Driven mad by mod culture rotten. ’Tis no doubt a disheartening indication That Kali-yug ’s baleful influence Has guided them to indiscipline and arrogance. Alas, our forefathers ’ glory is lost at last The golden records of our ancestors past; Renowned dasturs were Ahura Mazda ’s servants. While today all we have is negligence. Yet our religion teaches optimism without end. Which means the future ’s still in our hand. Our benevolent, practical religion Is not destined to die in vain, I see it rise again on the horizon. Our community wilf surely shine again As parents strive to enlighten Their progeny, our bright future And infuse them with grace and culture. Our adarians have survived since ages With high prestige and in prosperity; The holy Iranshah with us can revive golden pages Of wondrous heritage and integrity. The miraculous karsh, of fire sublime Will prosper us in a short span of time. Asho Spitaman Zarathushtra, world ’s messiah old. Sang Gathas and did divine life unfold; No doubt, like gems we ’re only a few But keep patience with faith, for revival is due; When Satya-yug in rotation will start Our glory will shine again, so don ’t lose heart. NOSHIR DABOO Ahmedabad ¦US' ¦^ Gold necklaces snatched Readers of Parsiana might have heard or read about snatching of gold neck ­ laces by miscreants prowling around Cama and Allbless Baugs where we gather for social functions like navjote and wedding ceremonies. In one instance, a young Parsi lady was sitting near a window of a taxi parked near Cama Baug. With her were her small baby and in-laws. The lady just turned around her head when the baby began to cry. A prowler forcefully 4 Parsiana October 1998 *I I snatched away the lady ’s necklace and vanished before her husband could arrive from the other side of the taxi. In another incident, a couple had emerged from Allbless Baug and the Parsi lady was standing outside the main gate waiting for her husband to fetch a taxi. A miscreant took the opportunity and pounced on the lady ’s necklace and disap ­ peared before the lady could recover her wits and shout for help. It is no use lodging a complaint with a nearby police station. For one thing the complaint might be written down half-heartedly, for another thing, the complainant would be bombarded with so many questions and would be asked to visit the police station so often that the complainant would prefer to bear the loss in silence. Very recently, I was told that a grandma wearing an ordinary pearl necklace, accompanied by her young niece, was walking towards her home from Cama Baug and when she neared Railway Hotel, a man accosted her and told her in Hindi, "Mahne hutch dum nahi hai is Hay tumko jane deta hoon (since you are wearing cheap jewellery, I am letting you go). ” Imagine what would have been her plight had she been wearing costly ornaments! My advice to Parsi families and especially their lady members is avoid wearing costly ornaments. If they must wear them, please take the trouble of covering them with a shawl or a sari to minimize the risk of valuable ornaments being snatched away by antisocial elements. BHIKHAJI M. ADENWALLA Significance of navjote The entrance of a child into the Mazdayasni fold is of paramount importance. But unfortunately it has become rou ­ tine or customary. The ceremony is treated as a day of enjoyment, pomp and show, thereby losing the solemnity and significance of this very important stage of life. A lot of money is wasted whereas it should have been spent to mold the future career of the child. The age of the candidate is restricted to seven or nine years. This has been the practice for the last number of years. It is ridiculous to expect a child of seven years to understand the significance of the navjote and follow it. The age should be enhanced to 10 or 11 years so that the child can have a better grasp of its significance. It has been argued by some people that there is risk of the onset of the menstrual cycle for the female child. This is merely a myth. Why should such a myth be imposed on the male child? The views of religious scholars are invited on the subject. The candidate should be trained, impressing upon him/her the importance of offering prayers to God, Prophet Zarathushtra, and the creations of God viz. sun, moon, air, water, fire, etc, explaining the utility of such divine cre ­ ations. Parents should guide the new recruit on how to respect the sudreh-kusti on his or her body whilst offering daily prayers. Example is better than precept. Hear the best with your ears And ponder with a bright mind Then each man and woman for his or herself Select either of the two, the better or bad mentality Awaken to this doctrine of ours Before the great event of choice ushers in (Gatha 3.2). BAHADUR M. BHARUCHA Control That’s the name of the game. 4' And Mazda knows how to play the game. Mazda has a full line of rugged, accurate. Pilot Operated Regulators for most pressure, temperature, differential pressure and back pressure applications. Mazda Pneumatically Controlled Valves offer the ultimate in precise control of either pressure or temperature. To meet all your control needs. Mazda also offers: • Jet Ejectors • Liquid Ring Vacuum Pumps • Severe Service Valves • Steam Desuperheaters • Noise Treatment Devices Seats meet industry standards for tight shut off and are guaranteed not to wire draw. From a fractional market share in late I970's Mazda valves have developed into a standard solution irsuthe majority of industrial Processes. Unparalleled in the history of process valving, this trend continues and can on^ derive its momentum from superiority in performance, reliability and economy. Discuss your control needs with Mazda first whatever the game, it pays to play with the pros. TEL. NO. : 408967,408014, 408654,408844 Fax : 079-6565605 E-mail No. : Mazda® ad 1 .vsnl.net.in Hlazda CONTROLS LTD. Mazda House, Panchwati 2nd Lane, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad - 380 006. India. 5 Parsiana October 1998 IBOYS’TOWN Public School Nasik 2 see this ancient splendor should contact Alitalia Airways, as this tour is orga ­ nized by Italia tours only, called “Hid ­ den Rome. ” FAROKH NAVAROJI DARUWALA Middlesex, UK Recognised as a Public School by the Department of Educa ­ tion for Indian Merit Scholars. Excellent Climate — All- round Education. Anew 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. 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 6 Parsiana October 1998 Contents lost I would like to bring to your attention the damaged condition of the Parsiana magazine envelope which was received minus the contents. I notice that the covers are now of a thicker paper. How­ ever, because the contents are not sealed (to save postage), they will probably IVIakc them gOOd CltlZCnS slip out resulting in a loss for you and Last month, I had read a report on the unhappy subscribers demanding re- Holiday Programme for Youth, orga- placements. As a suggestion, would it be feasible to bulk ship the magazines to the US and Canada and then place them into cursory glance at the dossier prepared the mail stream? If numbers warrant it, this may prove to be more cost effec ­ tive. Yours is a particularly well-re ­ ceived magazine by the Parsis and it is a shame that it does not seem to be a profitable venture. Your dedication in continuing to publish it helps to keep us abreast of world Parsi and Zoroastrian affairs. Thank you for your efforts. NADIR CAMAY Santa Monica, USA nized by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet with a dedicated team of professionals. I also had the opportunity of having a by the organizers and I must say I was very pleased and impressed by the ob­ jectives of the annual programs. Our aim should be to make our chil ­ dren good citizens. Make them fearless, capable of standing on their own feet and let them be distinguished individu ­ als. There is 100 percent literacy in our community, but our children are not truly and adequately educated. In the present-day, fast life-style, which is unfortunately our 1<^, we are overlook- The Editor replies ing many aspects — honesty, under- As the February-March 1998 issue of standing, politeness, goodwill, obe'di- Parsiana was a bulky one, the envelope ence and above all readiness to serve must have given way. We are modify ­ ing the envelopes for our thick issues. As regards the suggestion of ship­ ping copies in bulk, the problem would arise as to how they could then be posted locally. Not only would there be countless places in India to see and manual work involved but the local draw knowledge from. I have not in North American postal rates are also quite high. and sacrifice. It would be a good idea for the youth to visit important and interesting places in India. Let them know that Bombay is not the be-all of existence. There are mind the hill stations but places of historical value. I feel that all Parsis should visit Jamshedpur at least once. That will give them a sense of pride and satisfaction. Delhi, Agra, Lucknow, Temples of Mithras It is believed that in ancient Iran the temples of Mithras were commonplace. Chandigarh are some of the other places Persian influence was widespread in of interest. dalu. gundevia Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Tajikistan, Azerbai ­ jan, Rome, Greece and some parts of India. The temples of Mithras in Rome reveal the remains of a shrine devoted to the mysterious cult of Mithras. Here, down decaying stone steps and through ofindia founded in the year 1911, would gloomy antechambers, lights are turned qualify for “The Top Ten. ’’ on to reveal brilliant decorations. One room was in white stucco with amazing reliefs of gryphons, tritons and other schooling at Bharda New High School, mystical beasts in ornamental patterns. In another the designs were multicol ­ ored with shades of terra cotta and lapis lazuli, with frescoes as well as carvings. Pictures of birds and bowls of fruit and landscapes crowded next to sphinxes was a head clerk of the bank. He be- and heads of bugs with wings. Those visiting Rome and wishing to of interest. “The Top Ten” I feel my father, the late Sir Sorabji Pochkhanawala who was the founder of the first Indian bank. The Central Bank My father was born in 1881. He came from a poor family. After his he joined St Xavier ’s College. He was 17 years old when due to financial conditions in the family, he had to leave college and join the Chartered Bank as a clerk. His elder brother Hirjeebhoy came very interested in the bank ’s work. He found a book-keeping class and in ^1GLOBE THEATRES Pvt Ltd Established April 3, 1915 Pioneers of Show Business in India for the last 82 years We rededicate ourselves to the ideals we have cherished and practised all along -- namely to show NOTHING BUT THE BEST to our ever increasing number of Patrons Controlling: REGAL BOMBAY CAPITOL BOMBAY GLOBE CALCUTTA All the above Cinemas have now been equipped with PniPCXBY STEREO I Sound System due course passed the examination of the London Chamber of Commerce. He also cleared a correspondence course from the Institute of Bankers. He was a great help in the house too, going to the bazaar every morning — a habit which persisted in his later years. He also learnt to play the violin and gave violin tuitions to supplement the family ’s in ­ come. Sorabji ’s daily routine would start at 5.30 a.m., going to the bazaar, then attending a school which taught book­ keeping, returning home and leaving again to give violin tuitions. Then after a hurried breakfast at an Irani restau ­ rant, he went to work at the Bank where as an ordinary clerk he sometimes had to be at the job till 8 p.m. During his free hours he would study some aspects of banking with the help of his brother and by reading books. He became the first Indian to become a Certified Associate of the Institute of Bankers in London. Later on through the influence of people who knew Sir David Sassoon, he got a job at the Bank of India on a pay of Rs 150 a month. At that time there were only foreigners at the helm of banks. One day, Sorabji approached the manager of the Bank and requested him to increase his pay. The manager re ­ torted, “You Indians can never come up to the helm. You will always remain under us. ” Sorabji without thinking how much his pay meant to his family, re ­ torted, “I’ll show you what we Indians can do, ” and quickly walked out of the Bank. Outside he met an elderly gentle ­ man trying to cross the road. Sorabji helped him and when the gentleman asked Sorabji why he looked so de ­ pressed, Sorabji related the episode, “Why can ’t we Indians start a bank of our own? Are we not as intelligent as the other nations? ” The elderly gentle ­ man happened to be Mr Laichand, a notable man. He took Sorabji to his house and asked him his intentions for the future. Sorabji replied, “Sir, I want to start an Indian bank. We Indians are no inferior to the foreigners. ” And so, with the help of the pioneers of our community and mostly with the help of Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, who placed great faith in Sorabji, the “Central Bank of India ” was born with Sorabji at the helm. There were many hurdles to cross, but with pluck and faith Sorabji man ­ aged to overcome them all and to make the Central Bank one of the top banks * With best wishes from Farah & Tanya 8 Parsiana October 1998 % ? ¦r- with many branches all over India. Even the British Government recognized his worth and he was awarded a knight ­ hood. A book named The Banker written by Mr N. J. Nanporia was published in 1981 giving a biography of Sir Sorahji and his struggles in making the first Indian bank a successful enterprise. Sir Sorabji expired in 1937 at the age of 56 before he could implement more innovations in the Bank he gave birth to. MEHRA R. COOPER Edited by Parinaz M, Gandhi MATRIMONIAL Alliance invited from parents of home loving, good looking girls for a Parsi boy, 29 years, BCom, LLB, working in airline in Ahmedabad for the last five years and for a Parsi girl, 26 years, 5’1”, BCom, with diploma in computers, from boys up to 31 years settled in business or profession. Reply with bio data and recent photograph (returnable) to: The Advertiser Parsiana, Matrimonial (Oct/21-98)* GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 ‘Please make sure the reply envelope bears the reference number cited here. MATRIMONIAL Young, well educated Zoroastrian boy with good personality, born in 1967, residing and working in Vancouver, Canada, invites matrimonial correspondence from well educated and presentable Zoroastrian girls around 28 years willing to stay abroad. Please reply with recent color photograph and details to: The Advertiser Parsiana, Matrimonial (Oct/20-98)* GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 ‘Please make sure the reply envelope bears the reference number cited here. Dorrabji’s JERROZ HOTEL Under Cliff Bungalow, Ring Road, near Parsi Fire Temple Panchgani 412805 Phone: (91) (02168) 40238 Always remember TATA BATA KHAMBATA r 13? r t / Ketayun &^otni 22/A, Wellington Terrace Wellington Street, Bombay 400002 Tel No: 2069636, 2057242 Pager No: 9602-104007 .<1 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 Website: www.mastergroups.com Internet: prudential.bom@gems.vsnl.net.in Registered Office: 77, Mint Road, Fort, Mumbai 400001, India Tel: 2694203, 2659055, 2658396 Branches Bombay - Nhava Sheva - Kandla - New Delhi - Ludhiana - Ahmedabad 10 Parsiana October 1998 *Events and I I Personalities Storehouse of data “Having taken upon themselves volun ­ tarily the task of compiling the Direc ­ tory of Zoroastrians of Pune, the youth have illustrated that (the) Zoroastrian charity funds for scholarships for higher . rrA - . . studies, matrimonial bureau centers, anjumans in India and abroad. An intro- Stamp and memorial To mark the transition from locks to launchers, on the occasion of the cente ­ nary year of the Godrej group, the de ­ partment of posts, ministry of commu ­ nications, Government of India brought - out a special postage stamp. Depicting the founders of the industrial empire, Ardeshir and Pirojsha Godrej, the three- rupee stamp was released at the hands of the President of India K. R. Narayanan at Bombay ’s Raj Bhavan on July 11, 1998, notes a press release. “Ardeshir and Piroj sha were not busi ­ nessmen, capitalists, manufacturers or industrialists; rather, they were men com­ mitted to certain basic fundamental val ­ ues in life and they have handed them down to their descendants, ” the gover ­ nor of Maharashtra Dr P. C. Alexander was quoted in Mid-Day, July 12. Refer ­ ring to the courage shown by ^^u ’deshir in supporting the national cause by openly note on the Zoroaslrian religion also contributing three lakh rupees for the find a mention in this Directory’ which upliftmentofHarijans, Alexander added, has advertising support on around 60 pages. The ZYA executive committee trian Organisation (WZO), the Athornan Boarding Madressa; lists of fire-temples, dharamshalas and sanatoriums in India, welfare centers and youth associations; community of Pune is fortunate to have been blessed with the young generation who...have shown strong sentiments and duction to Pune, the contact numbers of feeling for their religion and the Zoroas- trian community, ” lauded the chairman of the Poona Parsee Panchayat (PPP), Dara K. Irani. Readied in time for Jamshedi Navroze, 1998, the Directory of Pune Zoroastrians has more than 250 pages of which the maximum, 105, alphabeti ­ cally carry the name, blood group, resi ­ dence and office address and telephone numbers where applicable. The Yellow Pages, 29 in all, bear the names, ad ­ dresses and telephone numbers of Zoro- astrian professionals and businessmen. As mentioned in a message by president Sarosh N. Palkhiwala and honorary sec ­ retary Nazneen N. Aibara of the Zoroas- _ trian Youth Association (ZYA), Poona, I “It took us more than six months of dedicated efforts to obtain the required s information necessary for compiling the Directory. While we are very grateful to all those who cooperated in furnishing the information...we still regret that the Directory’ does not contain the names and details of all the Zoroastrians of Poona. This is mainly due to the fact that (1997-1998) which was instrumental in in spite of repeated advertisements in leading newspapers, agiaries, followed up by our volunteers, many of our com­ munity members did not divulge the required information... ” Almost 70 pages of the Directory’ are devoted to news on Zoroastrian founded institutions in Pune like the agiaries, schools, hospitals, dharamshalas; com­ munity organizations like the PPP, the ZYA, Seva Mandal, the World Zoroas- its public utility services, and a short DntBCTOKY is?’ A :¦ ¦ i,-U’ H K 11 Parsiana October 1998 Gandhi, honorary secretary of the Fed ­ eration of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India have been specially acknow ­ ledged in the Directory for their support in bringing out this publication. “This speaks volumes of their commit­ ment... The stamp is a small token of our appreciation. ” Happy that the release of the stamp coincided with World Population Day, chairman Sohrab Godrej noted, “But most importantly, it is...a day for com­ mitment to lofty values which the founder-pioneers upheld and which were bringing out the Directory included Palkhiwala, vice president Kashmira Udachia, joint vice president Darius Boocha, secretary Aibara, joint secre ­ tary Niloufer Wadia, treasurer Jamshed Frenchman, and members at large responsible in large measure for the suc- Hormuz Sukhia, Neville Batliwalla, cess of Godrej...These values were ‘self- Vahesta Vankhadia and Navaz respect through self-reliance, ’ service Palkhiwala. Dinshaw Tamboly, man ­ aging trustee of the WZO, Union Press proprietor Rohinton Chinoy, Keki to the country through customers and in other ways, facilities to the workers... ” Besides members of the Godrej fam- !M b < h J 4 . * US fl GOnHf , CENTFHARV «(T?I tNCMA .OK ;t sHliUKtt t (.ODUHJ 1 and never took undue At the release of the Godrej stamp j advantages but stuck to (from left): Mohile, Joshi, Alexander, J the truth with his scien- Narayanan, Sohrab Godrej, Munde I tific bend of mind, ” and Soonu Godrej stated Sohrab Godrej Right: Sohrab Godrej with Deshmukh when addressing the after unveiling the plaque gathering at the unveil ­ ing ceremony. Dr B. P. The Hospital joins y ong list of medical Godrej was a senior institutions including the Hinduja, managing director of Godrej Soaps Bombay and Cumballa Hill Hospitals, whose epochal inventions ranged from the manufacture of soap from fatty ac ­ ids, the deglycerination of oils and the derivation of alpha olefins from veg- empanelled under SCUP. etable oil, according to the press release. ily, others who graced F the function were F Aparna Mobile, chief [ postmaster general of ( Maharashtra, chief * minister of Maha- j rashtraManoharJoshi, { deputy chief minister J Gopinath Munde... “The social concerns of Godrej have kept pace with its growth, ” mentions the press release, indicating that the annual turnover of the Godrej group is in the vicinity of 35 billion rupees. “The com­ pany donates about one-fourth of its dividends to a wide variety of philan- thropies...The group has also pioneered Treatment nOW, pay later in declaring all its premises across the ~ country as ‘no tobacco zones. ’” Furthering its ties with the University the money first and then seek reim- Department of Chemical Technology bursement months later. To relieve this (UDCT), on August 9, 1998, the vice financial burden on patients the Unit chancellor of the University of Bombay Trust ofindia (UTI) launched the Senior declaration of good health is required, ” Dr Snehalata Deshmukh unveiled the Citizens ’Unit Plan (SCUP) under which foundation plaque for the Dr B. P. Godrej the patient ’s bills are paid directly to the Students ’Centre which is meant to serve hospital by the New India Assurance as a recreation and development area for Company with the UTI acting as guar- the students of this Department. Last year, as part of the Godrej centenary celebrations, the Dr B. P. Godrej Re ­ search Centre in Oils, Fats and Waxes Technology was set up at the UDCT with state-of-the-art pilot plant facilities and sophisticated analytical instruments forresearch purposes. Both the Research ficer of the B. D. Centre and the Students ’ Centre are be ­ ing funded by the Pirojsha Godrej Foun ­ dation and will continue to receive vari ­ ous grants for their maintenance, men ­ tions the communique. “My brother Burjor was steeped in science and technology . Being very ethi ­ cal, unlike businessmen generally, he people know about was very punctilious in his statements ( The Hospital joins ^long list of medical Pune ’s Jehangir and Ruby Hall Nursing Homes, Madras ’ Apollo Hospital and a host of others in 54 cities in India * 12 Parsiana October 1998 The problem with present medical in ­ surance schemes is that one has to pay Explaining the scheme, PGH’s com­ mittee member, K. P. Byramjee, wrote: “The procedures of Mediclaim are so cumbersome... I felt that any scheme which makes direct payment to the hos­ pital should be investigated. ’’ Unlike Mediclaim, even pre-existing diseases are covered. “No medical check-up or Parsee General Hospital: new convenience for patients Photo: Varghese Fernandez antor. “You must get into this scheme when you are quite young, ” states Dr N. Siddiqui, the chief executive of- Petit Parsee Gen ­ eral (PGH) which has I recently been em- g panelled on the 3 scheme. “Unfortu- | nately, not many I people know about this scheme as yet. ” F Hospital —\J^L s liiiB'* *’---v 4 ¦'& **¦ 'f.I, cal practitioner in Ahmednagar, writes Bchram Nagarwalla. She alway.s gave free medicines and treatment to the villagers around her who Hocked to her during illness, men- tion.s Nagarwalla in his profile of her multifaceted life. In addition to serving elaborates UTI agent M. A. Moliwala. Patients entering hospital under SCUP are not required to pay the initial deposit demanded by most hospitals at the time of admission, thus relieving patients and their families of the major anxiety of producing large sums of money in case.s ol emergency. “The identity-card cum humanity, stray dogs, cows, goals and log-book issued by UTI should be pro­ duced at the time of admission and il you are travelling, be sure to carry it with you, as benefits under SCUP are available at any of the hospitals em ­ panelled in over 50 citie.s in India, ” inform.s Motiwala. Described by UTI as “tailor-made to make your post-retirement life worry- free, ” SCUP provides medical insur ­ ance cover to resident and non-resident Indians over the age of 58, with the over ­ all limit for life being five lakh rupee.s per person individually or per couple jointly. Spouses can also register sepa ­ rately. The limit for “any one-time hospital ­ ization ” is Rs 1.5 lakhs, with minimum hospitalization being 24 hours. “Any one illness ” includes a relapse if it oc­ curs within 45 days, according to the application form. Injuries caused by war or nuclear explosion.s are excluded, as also treatment relating to AIDS and some others mentioned in the Exclusion clause. However, for chemotherapy, dialysis, removal ol kidney stones, etc, medical Society ’s High School (now known a,s the Bhau Saheb Firodiya High School) which then had about 600 boys and only three girls, including hersell and her by the transparency of Mr Pardiwala ’s sister Tehmina. After a year ’s study at writing. There is a literary flair to it that Bombay ’s Wilson College, Cama stud ­ ied for her MBBS degree from the Grant Medical College. Serving for year as a lady fellow at the Motlibai Petit Hospital in Bombay, she returned to Ahmednagar in 1924. Two years later she was gifted an Austin car by Tehmina which served her for nearly six decades before she sold the Cania and her rintape Ans!in vintage vehicle and donated the pro­ ceeds to Mother Teresa, writes Nagar- walla. As noted, the last time she took out her Austin she was over 70 years old and kept three village boys sitting in the back seat to push and start the automo ­ bile. She is also credited with being the oldest account holder with the State Bank of India, Ahmednagar Main Branch, ‘g birds too found a home with the spin ­ ster. Beside.s her medical practice she having started her account with The found time to look alter the busines.s Imperial Bank more than 75 years ago. affairs of her family and even when she was in her 8()s was seen pecking at her GundhiUH in Spirit typewriter. .. ............................. A descendant of the Kekobadna fam ­ ily (also known by the surname Mail ­ contractor) who held the contract for the delivery of mail between Ahmednagar, Poona and Mahableshwar, Cama can recall many interesting anecdotes of that time before the government postal vice was established. The mail used to be delivered from Ahmednagar to Poona railway station on horseback and by horse-drawn tongas. If the mail was delivered more than five minute.s late al (Bombay) were truly Grindhian in letter the station, they were liable to be penal ­ ized. The horse.s had to be changed ev ­ ery 15 to 17 miles, she informed. After her early schooling al the Victoria High School and St Helena ’s in Poona, Cama completed her matricu ­ lation from the Ahmednagar Education scr- The challenging situations when author Rusi Pardiwala adopted the Gandhian mode of peaceful resistance to fight against different forms of injustice find a mention in The Experiments with Gandhi published by Sahitya Aane Sanskruti on the 50th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi ’s martyrdom. “The methods adopted by Mr Pardiwala as a student to fight injustice of the authorities of the school at Bilimora and the hostel at Gamadia Colony in ,1 insurance cover is available even if hos­ pital slay i.s less than 24 hours. SCUP envi.sage.s a one-time invest ­ ment, depending on one ’s age at the time of joining the scheme. For an 18- year-old, the investment is a,s low a.s Rs 2,500,1 or a 50-year-old the amount goes up to Rs 24,500. Members joining the plan will get an annuity (or annual return) after the member completes the age of 58. The residual amount will be available to the member who withdraws from the Plan after the age of 61, but for non-resident Indians, annuities and sidual amounts are not repatriable. A salient feature is that even if a member withdraws from the Plan after the age of 61, medical insurance cover continue.s to be available, stales Moliwala, elabo ­ rating on the advantages of the scheme to the community. Hiiia p. GuzUer g' re- Cama’s maiden century Born 51 years prior to India ’.s indepen ­ dence on August 15, 1898, Dr Hambai Cama who completed 100 years in Au ­ gust i.s known to be respected as a medi- 13 Parsiana October 1998 a and spirit... ” writes freedom fighter . Sadanand Varde in his observations on the book. “Mr Pardiwala is an advocate in the truest sense of the word. An advo ­ cate for a just cause, an advocate for those in genuine need. His handling of the Mistry Colony case and his involve ­ ment with the tenants at great personal risk and sacrifice is a shining chapter in his life, ” adds Varde. “I am impressed makes the story natural and readable... It is written in simple straightforward En ­ glish, interspersed with vivid verse... Shall I call him a lawyer poet or a poet lawyer? ” In this 30-page biographical sketch Pardiwala discloses, “My mother was perhaps afraid that if she lived at Pardiher children might become lousy and boy I was travelling to school in tram no with wine and vinegar get drowsy. ” In the final section titled “Resurrection, ” the author puts it down in verse, “This book of my memoir is now out and open. For the confused youths to read and ponder over... Gandhi ’s spirit is moved seeing his followers 8 and the hat flew off as the tram rollicking along at full speed Bombay ’s clear streets. I jumped off to retrieve it, but couldn ’t. Of course, that made me end up in tears, ” he quips. Describing sola as “a tall, leguminous swamp- On all fronts frustrate. plant of India, ” the Oxford To rekindle the old flames, marches to English Dictionary states him as “the big chief ’ because of the sola he was wearing and many people THB UPIRIMINTI WITH OANDHI RIMINItCBNCie - By RiMi PMhnti India Gate And in soft tone simple says; ‘Fear not this (British) Raj, Sagar recalls world for its hi- tech hunt. It will still move faster and soon all these will be junk. ’ Simple is not sluggish, and that the pith of this is used in making light hats. Now no more than ti relic of the was sola he was wearing and many people along wanted to buy the hat off him! “Unfor ­ tunately people now con ­ sider it infra dig to wear one. ” Does it faze him when people sometimes L Stop and stare? “Not one I bit,” he laughs, though his daughters sometimes refuse to walk with him when he is wearing one! Another sola-hatted gentleman who came all . I the way from Gholvad to ‘ ) the office of the Afternoon ' to display his prized pos­ session was Dadi Dhun- jishaw Mehta, an “expert on nuclear age civil de ­ fence planning, ” as per his self description. “I have worn sola hats all my life, can ’t do without them as I am very sensitive to the sun, ” Mehta told the Afternoon reporter. “This last one I IF.,,.****”"****' '<3^ C’r,:‘ conscientious not coward. If others fail to follow, march alone onward... The maximum number of pages in this booklet, eight, are devoted to narrat- ______________ _____ ing the harrowmg experiences of the sturdy hat has even saved his life on a couple ol occasions, with the cork inside the hat softening the blow of debris falling on his head at the site of new r “ I •' that in its heyday the sola hat was popular not only Sagar and his sola; with the Parsis but with 1930s advertisement other communities and the (below) English as well. Cotton suits and solas were a genteel dress, he maintains. “Polo-playing princes, gov ­ ernors, policemen, all wore it. I remem ­ ber in the BEST (Bombay Electric Sup ­ ply and Transport Company), one free bought at Dorabjee ’s in Pune in 1980 for sola was given to inspectors as part of ” "" .. ....................... their uniform, ” narrates the electrical contractor. He believes that the light but students of the Gamadia Colony Hostel who were fighting for their rights against the trustees of the Bombay Parsi Pun- chayet. Among the 18 students who building construction. “If s a good contraption against heat, with vents in the crown for air to pass through, ” he asserts. On a recent visit to the safari parks of Kenya, his very knowl- have been named as joining forces with Pardiwala was Earuch Lavangia who forwarded this little book to Parsiana. As notes Dr B. S.Rawat, retired prin ­ cipal of Bombay ’s Maharshi Dayanand edgeable African tour guide addressed College, in the preface, “Advocate Par- diwala ’s reminiscences make us realize that in an atmosphere of violence, cru- elty, corruption, casteism and commu- nalism, injustice and lawlessness pre ­ vailing in the country, the Gandhian technique of fighting injustice, social and political evils is all the more rel ­ evant today than ever before. ” Sporting a sola “The day after Busybee (editor Behram Contractor) wrote about the end of sola hats in (Bombay), Mr Adi Sagar walked into the office complete in his own sola hat. The world may have given them up, he has not... ” reported the Afternoon Despatch and Courier, of May 19,1998. “I have been wearing a sola topi ever since I was in primary school, ” elabo ­ rates Sagar to Parsiana. “Even the girls wore it, with a khaki band and a bow at the back. I remember once as a young •jp 14 Parsiana October 1998 1l »¦ Rs 75. To think I uSBd to once buy them for five rupees with plastic, rain-proof cover. ” Would they like the tradition to con ­ tinue? “I would love it, I am a tradition ­ alist who regrets the passing of old ways, ” opines Sagar, more than happy with the Afternoon's idea of starting a “sola hat wearers ’ society, so much bet ­ ter than a Congress topi wallas ’ soci­ ety. ” H. P. G. Compiled by Parinaz M. Gandhi 1^/ ¦% IZOROASTRIANS ABROAD 1 Rangoon’s Captain Agiary ertheless dismantling this fine piece of Nanabhoy, a brilliant lawyer and head A letter to Parsiana received some time lurniture proved an arduous task until trustee of the Agiary during the Privy back from the Myanmar Parsee Reli- they located Hormusjee Manchershah, Council battle, and a daughter Humbaiji gious Headquarter on 238 BominYaung a master craftsman to whom was as- who married Jiwanji Jijibhai. Between Street, Mingala Taung Nyunt Post, signed the task of dismantling and reas- them the brother and sister produced nine Yangon, Myanmar declared that due to sembling the throne. offspring, one of them being the late Gool false accusation from two members of With such dexterity was the job com- Cawasji who was for many years the legal the community the local authority was i' ’ ’ ' ~ ' trying to drive the association “out ofthe '....................................... j fire-temple premises. ” According to the for a special photograph, writes Sidhwa. letter, signed by chief administration Using his moment of triumph with grandson, officer Ismail Khan Parsee, “Their aim Victoria for the benefit of his commu- in doing so is solely for their personal nity,Manchershahrequestedherfortwo Memory pearls gains. ” plots of land in Rangoon — for a fire- The letter further notes, “I and five temple and an aramgah — which re ­ members of the (Parsi) community in ( ' " ' ' ' ................... Yangon were unanimously elected as granted in perpetuity to the Parsis of Press, London, priced at £3,99. Largely a versified commemoration of births. Asks Sidhwa, “If the two plots of birthdays, anniversaries and requiems land have been given in perpetuity by furniture proved an arduous task until they located Hormusjee Manchershah, a master craftsman to whom was as ­ signed the task of dismantling and reas- With such dexterity was the job com­ pleted that the Queen graciously posed advisor to the House of Tata. And for with Manchershah in his jama pichori generations legal acumen was the family forte. Ismail Khan Parsee is Humbaiji ’s Thirty-seven little poems feature in Per­ sonal Pearls, a 58-page book authored quest the British monarch is said to have by Soli Master and published by Minerva r‘ members of the board of trustees of the Rangoon. fire-temple (Yangon) at the meeting held on April 6, 1996 at the fire-temple premises. The election was also held in Queen Victoria, for the agiary and burial accord with our association ’s scheme. At present, due to their influence and pressure the authority concerned sent ready been defiled completely and us a notice to move away from the fire ­ temple. If the ‘board of trustees ’ is moved out, then there will be no person to look after the maintenance and pres ­ ervation of the fire-temple. As a result Bhikaji Unwala, and his son Soli and his our Parsis ’ religious and traditional ac ­ tivities will come to a stop and the fire ­ temple itself will be spoiled. Anyhow, we the members of the board of trustees arc doing everything in our position, through legal channels to get the (deci ­ sion reversed). ” Enclosed with the letter is a list of later adopted his designation as his fam ­ eight community members: president ily name and built the Rangoon Captain Sylvia Masani, vice president Ismail Agiary which opened in 1904. Khan Parsee, secretaries U Khin Oo Hormijee and Buddvill Cooper, trea ­ surer Ma Khin Zaw Ooo Hormijee and board members Jimmy Masani, Daw Mi panthaky. Unwala ’s son and grandson Mi Aung Wakill and Daw Thinn Thinn Aye Masani. Aware of the old connection of Globe Theatres with Rangoon, Parsiana sought out that this Captain Agiary “has a spe- some clarification from its partner cial place in Parsi history being the site ground, how can anyone sell it? I hear that our Parsi burial ground (has) al- a five-star hotel is being built presently over it. All our relatives are completely horrified with this news, as my revered inamaji (maternal uncle), Dastur Burjorji among the author ’s family and friends, the good-humored ditties span 18 years of life in Norbury where the 80-year- cousin and many other Parsis were bur ­ ied there. ” Sidhwa ascribes the building of the agiary toBomanji Cawasji Katrak whom he describes as the first Indian captain of a ship, plying between Bombay, Ran ­ goon, Singapore and Kowloon. Katrak Sidhwa notes that his maternal grand ­ father (mamavaji) Dastur Bhikaji Unwala was the Captain Agiary ’s first continued as panthakies after him, the last coming away only on the Japanese invasion of Rangoon. Sidhwa also points I old retired bookkeeper lives. But there are also ‘odes ’ to commu- _ ..... . nity stalwarts like the late Dastur Sohrab some clarification from its partner cial place in Parsi history being the site Kutar, his wife Dr Shirinbanoo Kutar Maneck Sidhwa. Tracing the history of ofthe legal battle that resulted in a Privy and World Zoroastrian Organisation the Rangoon community Sidhwa refers " ¦• • • to the defeat of the last Burmese king by the British army in the time of Queen Victoria. In the Burmese capital Man ­ dalay was the teakwood throne of King Thibow, the defeated monarch. It was a piece of such exquisite beauty that the British viceroy in Calcutta was deter- Captainfamilyended with three sons, the first to catch, mined to gift it to Victoria as the symbol youngest of whom was a barrister-at-law The power of our prayers he has extreme of the last Asian bastion on the subcon- known as the “Lion of theBar, ” hisbrother faith in tinent to fall to the British Crown. Nev- Dinshawji Cawasii Katrak had a son For every word of prayer he chants. Council judgment regarding the reli- (WZO) founder and former president of gious rights ofthe child ofaParsi mother the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe and a non-Zoroastrian father known as Shahpur Captain plus a dedication to the the Bella Case. ” Tracing the ramification of the Cawasji Katrak family through five generations, knows no match; Sidhwa shows that while the Bomanji Every chance to help, they are always Captain family ended with three sons, the known as the “Lion of theBar, ” hisbrother Dinshawji Cawasji Katrak had a son 17 Parsiana October 1998 late Princess Diana. “In matters of religion their keenness Iexudes from within... ” on the Kutars. “A little bee kept stinging him, to form into eight sectors, varying from the scrip­ tural and historical to the philosophical and genetical . It al so touched on the drift within the community as a consequence of the rigid attitudes of the priesthood Dhana Palamkote and 17 of us trooped “The subject was broadly divided studying business management. Choksi’s report captures the normal Parsi effusiveness and links with home on the occasion: “I met the Frankfurt Parsis through a worldwide group Of Zoroastrians, then an idea just as foggy as pea soup; The Committee and other stalwarts, he ceaselessly stormed and such powers in authority, ” notes the together in a coach for the occasion. Talk of it being a small world and of course the camaraderie was instant. “Dhana is the cousin of my very dear With grim determination and dogged report. Captain based his case on the devotion, the WZO he formed... ” on Captain. Born and educated in Bombay, Mas ­ ter migrated in 1955 and writes under the pseudonym “The Poet Laureate of Zoroastrian literature in the original fol- Norbury (PLON),” notes the preface. The personalized collection of rhymed greetings provide a flash into a happy marriage that endured 54 years and the book is dedicated to the late Dina to whom he had addressed a poem on Oc­ tober 6,1991: “Our story is about to end, it is now fifty years old, I have tried my best in poetic verse to unfold. A success story this is, but I still like to know why —- Model wives like my Dina are so hard to come by?” Only one poem entitled Progress-or is it? has a general bearing on life in the UK; “You buy a car — your second most expensive possession For it is your pride and joy, necessity or is it just an obsession?... ” lack of reference anywhere in the scrip­ tures that “proselytizing is or was ever forbidden. ” He chanted a number of school friend now in the States and is , passages from the Gathas and other I met Khurshid from Colombo and her daughter Nisha. I knew Khurshid way back in the 60s when she used to visit married to Behram who works with Lufthansa ’s flight kitchen and is a chef lowed by an English translation. ‘par excellence ’ in his own right. They In his counter speech Mehta dwelt have two young children. Through them on the need to maintain the sanctity of the Zoroastrian faith and the homoge ­ neity of the Zoroastrian community based on language, religion, rituals, Bombay on holiday, historical memory, folklore and leg ­ end. He contended that “it is not so easy for someone from a background re ­ moved from Zoroastrianism to fit into the culture and ethos of this religion, ” according to the press release. The motion was carried 29 to two, indicating a need for a more flexible approach to a diasporic challenge to the ancient faith. “And then there is Sohrab Gazdar who rings up to ask if I knew his aunt Shirin Vakil in Panchgani. Gosh who did not know Shirin Aunty ! It was thanks to her and her cane that so many of us learnt our navjote prayers. “Homai Desai, who 35 years ago stopped in FrankfuPt en route to the US, never made it across the Atlantic hav ­ ing met her Italian husband here. She was in Jai Hind College with Pali Shroff who wooed Sigrid in Hamburg and they now live in Wiesbaden. “Any one flying out from Frankfurt on Air India has to know the ever helpful Khush Nicholson. His wife Petra amuses us with her knowledge of Gujarati. The right to faith The North West Zoroastrian Commu ­ nity (NWZC) of Manchester organized 40 years, took the initiative to get the a debate last November between the WZO chairman Shahpur Captain and NWZC chairman Maneck Mehta, in ­ forms a press release from the WZO. At issue was the motion, “A child has a right to be confirmed into the Zoroas ­ trian faith (by navjote) as long as one of his/her parents is a Zoroastrian. ” Navroze in Bonn “We spent such a happy day in Bonn so I was enthused to send you a write-up, ” wrote Gita Choksi from Frankfurt. She was referring to a get-together of about 50 Parsis living all over Germany. DrsNariosang and PilooPoonawalla, Maneck Desai, ever helpful, is enjoying who have lived in Germany for the past retirement after years with Amex. “At Bonn we met other doctors in various fields of medicine, lawyers and group together to celebrate Jamshedi Navroze. Piloo is an ophthalmologist other professionals. A lot of the Parsi practising in Koln while Nariosang is a pharmacologist who has also worked in the US and owns and runs a successful pharmacy (Apotheke Aesculap) in Bonn. Of their two sons, one is a practis ­ ing homeopath in Koln while the other is men were married to German ladies. While the majority of us were from 'aaproo (Bombay) ’ it was nice to meet with two ladies from Pakistan: Shanaz who was shortly flying to Karachi for her son ’s wedding and another young Choksi (right) with Piloo and Nariosang Poonawalla Right: The happy revellers 18 Parsiana October 1998 * Ilady with her family. “It was heartening, the amazing dis ­ tances people drove to attend the occa ­ sion and Rita Contractor shamed us ladies by donning a festive pink sari Parsi style while we Parsi ladies were all in western attire. “The warmth of home, good Parsi explosives if the individual has been in fare and the camaraderie, after the Ger ­ man thaw melted, made it a very happy event giving all the feeling that we should meet up more than once a year. ” ders in a kind of “thermal plume, ” the current carries with it the constantly shed outer skin (up to 90 percent of environmental dust in homes and of­ fices is composed of human skin flakes, notes the report, quoting Gowadia) and Bombay, adds the report, with it traces of perfume, cosmetics or mingham, UK, informs a press release. A year ago Mirza performed live liver surgery and lectured at the liver work­ shop attended by 300 surgeons at the invitation of the Tata Cancer Hospital, touch with them. Gowadia ’s prelimi ­ nary research has indicated that explosive traces from samples concealed under clothing can be found easily in the thermal plume. The effort is on to find ways of tapping this plume Detecting explosives In its search for tighter aviation security, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is supporting the research work of from the travelers as they go Huban Gowadia, a mechanical engineer- through the detection por­ ing graduate student at Pennsylvania State tals. Research chemist Su- University (PSU), informs a report in C&EN magazine (September 29, 1997), forwarded to Parsiana by social worker Scylla Vatcha. The aim is to find way.s of detecting traces of explosives on appar ­ ently innocent travelers. According to Gowadia, heat flows The son of dental surgeon Firoze Mirza and his wife Elinor, Darius Mirza speaks fluent German. A product of the G. S. Medical College/KEM ' Hospital whence he earned his MS degree with distinc ­ tion, Mirza has lectured at liver conferences all over Eu ­ rope and the USA, has over 35 published scientific pa ­ pers to his credit and has appeared on British televi ­ sion, notes the write-up. Ever willing to help Indi ­ ans abroad in his field, Mirza is said to have helped many san Hallowell who is acting Darius Mirza: program manager of airport leveraging the liver security technology integra ­ tion at FAA says the PSU research being Indian patients in the UK where trans ­ carried out by Gowadia under Prof Gary plant patients have now lived for more Settles is “really quite novel. ” than 10 years, leading a normal, healthy life after surgery. from the human body towards the sur- Livcr SUrgCOIl MifZa Mirza ’s wife Shirin is a reputed gy- rounding cooler air, forming a freely Recognized liver transplant surgeon Dr necologist in the UK. They have^one moving boundary layer. Beginning at Darius Mirza has been appointed con- the ankles and traveling upward until it suitant surgeon in the Hepatobiliary Unit swirls away from the head and shoul- of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bir- son, informs his father. Compiled by Arnavaz S. Mama * MATCH YOUR AMBITION TO A CAREER To do so we offer you: Diploma Course in Business Management (Postal) (IMC) < Executive Secretarial Course Private Secretarial Course Personal Assistants ’ Programme (Working Stenographers) Shorthand/Typewriting/Electronic Typewriting ? Telephone Operating & Receptionist Techniques < English Conversation & Writing Skills Personality Development and Computer Packages Enquire at; Sir J. J. College of Commerce 14, Nanabhoy Lane, Hutatma Chowk Mumbai 400001 Tel: 2871058/2844329 Fax: 2871185 I 20 Parsiana October 1998 %ENVIRONMENT COVER STORY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Greening of Doongerwadi Environmental concerns have led to a massive tree plantation project at the Doongerwadi Parinaz M. Gandhi Engrossed in observing the signs of new Desai in History of the Bombay Parsi odor will be heard from residents of vegetation that are being pointed out to Punchayet 1860-1960. Developments Godrej Baug (which lies to the west of outside the walls of the Doongerwadi the Doongerwadi) or Spenta (which lies would be impossible to control. The focus therefore is on forestation; plant ­ ing tall evergreen trees around the pe ­ riphery of the dokhmas in use. In the recent past, well-meaning activists like Khursheed Khurody and her band of volunteers, and retired forest department officer Homi Chothia of Baroda attempted to im­ prove the flora at Doongerwadi. But Apartments, adjacent to the Doonger- shortage of water was a perennial prob­ lem making life difficult not only for the young saplings but also for the Desai in History of the Bombay Parsi us, we are vaguely aware of another presence in our midst. Curious to know who is the eavesdropper, we can ’t desist turning around. Staring us in the face is a majestic peacock who eyes us curi ­ ously for a few seconds and then walks off nonchalantly towards the sagdi on the Doongerwadi grounds in Bombay. We were in the vicinity of the Anju ­ man Dokhma where concerted effort.s are being made to plant saplings to cul ­ tivate the barren lands on the Doon ­ gerwadi premises. In fact, it is not just one plot that is being earmarked for better soil and water treatment, but the gardeners. It was only recently that entire area around the two dokhmas — ' " ' ~ Anjuman and Bisni — which are princi ­ pally in use. The main aim is to increase the population of vultures such that the electric pump which could draw ancient mode of disposal of the dead can be carried out effectively without of­ fending the sensibilities of those resid ­ ing in the neighborhood. On an average there must be 10 to 20 vultures hovering around the Doonger ­ wadi. There are certain spells however project, mentions Poonawalla. “Now when they are not seen in the Malabar Hill vicinity but only in the proximity of the abattoir at Deonar, observes Jime Poonawalla, estate manager, Doonger ­ wadi, who has worked here for the last 25 years. Since the life of every vulture is deemed precious to enable the swift disposal of the mortal remains of Zoro- astrians, in the recent past when an in ­ jured vulture was found near Petit Hall on Napean Sea Road, with utmost care it was brought to the Doongerwadi by one of the staff who nursed it back to good health. Absence of tall, sturdy trees in the vicinity where these birds can nest com­ fortably and the mushrooming of sky­ scrapers around this prized Malabar Hill property are the reasons cited for the declining strength ofthese birds of prey, (yet another 34-storey high-rise com- to the south), Poonawalla is confident. There are as many as five dokhmas standing at the Doongerwadi. As wrote Desai, “Two things are always most dear to the most devout Parsi — to build an agiary or atash behram and a dokh- ma. ” The Framji Cowasji Banaji ’s Tower built in 1832 has been in disuse since 1974 when residents of the Grand Paradi wadi, reported that they could look in ­ side the dokhma. Yhe Mody Hirjibhai Vacha-Gandhi ’s Tower built in 1670 is now earmarked for Zoroastrian women the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) who have married out of the community trustee in charge of Doongerwadi af ­ fairs, Silloo Kavarana arranged for an wa ­ ter at that height. The Punchayet too expended Rs 10,500 on one pump. BPP trustee Dinshaw Tamboly used his World Zoroastrian Organisation contacts to arrange for further finance to give a fillip to the tree plantation EduljiBisni ’sTowerbuiltin 1844.Only a quarter of Bisni ’s Tower is put to use due to complaints of visibility from Grand Paradi. The largest, Anjuman Dokhma, with a capacity of nearly 1,000 . pavis is used for 20 days-after which it is (in the last two years, there were only three bodies consigned here). The Manekji Nowroji Sett ’s Tower built in 1756 is used very rarely, for small bod ­ ies only. Thus, the 80 or so bodies that are consigned at the Doongerwadi every month are divided between the Anju- man ’s Tower built in 1778 and Cowasji instead of giving two buckets of water to each sapling, we can give five; instead of 10 people ferrying water up and down, two gardeners can take care of the job, ” Poonawalla explains the turn oftheBisni Dokhma for the next in Gujarati. Helping Poonawalla in managing the estate are two supervi ­ sors and 12 gardeners, he mentions. Within six months the difference in employment at the Doongerwadi. “We greenery will be clearly noticeable, as ­ sured Poonawalla in April 1998. “Aapre tan bachchapaida keedhach. Have kalji forts to locate unemployed Parsi males kareene mota karvatia (after producing children we have to make sure that they are nurtured well)... ” If the same interest and efforts are sustained, the dokhmas will be well covered in the next five years and no view of the dokhmas will khandhias excessively. Usually, they try be possible from any of the skyscrapers and avoid making the younger khandhias The Doongerwadi property admeasures plex is already under construction) 2,76,000 square yards, wrote Sapur nearby and no complaints of offensive 15 days, Poonawalla explains the rou ­ tine. Presently there are 16 khandhias in don ’t get Parsis willing to do this job, ” says Kavarana, elaborating on their ef- who would be willing to pursue this calling. There are certain days when there is not a single funeral at Doonger ­ wadi and at other times there may be as many as six or seven, pressurizing the who are unaceustomed to the gory sight carry the body into the doldima, she states. Several bottles of eucalyptus oil 22 Parsiana October 1998 %are emptied there as a routine disinfec ­ tant measure, she explains in response to the complaint about the stench emanat ­ ing from there. Depending on the direction of the wind, the unpleasant smell has been experienced by residents of Godrej Baug as also Spenta. But just as there are only certain flats at Godrej Baug where the disturbing malodor can be experienced, especially after sunset hours, there are only certain flat owners of Spenta who have sent out distress signals to the BPP. Residents of Grand Paradi, which lies to the north of the dokhmas, have not complained of any smell although some occupants are visibly concerned that there are days when they see bodies lying in the dokhma. The Doongerwadi is a loss making account for the Punchayet, remarks Kavarana. Zoroastrians will donate for the kathi and diva fund, but not towards Doongerwadi maintenance funds. With all her contacts she found that even finding donors for a new hearse was a herculean task. In the financial year end ­ ing March 1998, the Punchayet showed a deficit of Rs 22,28,896 at the Doongerwadi, states BPP joint secre ­ tary Sheroo Master. In the last few months they received a donation of Rs 8,91,000 but if the sum of nearly five lakh rupees promised for the hearse is deducted therefrom, it means a donation of around three lakh rupees. A substan ­ tial gift of Rs 50 lakhs from philanthro ­ pist Nariman Dubash is earmarked for the beautification plans at Doongerwadi, announced BPP chairman Jamshed Guzder at the Anjuman Committee meet ­ ing in June 1998. As per a press release issued by BPP trustee Dinshaw Tamboly, “The size of the Doongerwadi complex being what it is, substantial funding is required on an ongoing basis... The accumulating defi ­ cits have now grown so enormous that it is not possible for the BPP to continue absorbing them. “My colleagues and I are of the opin ­ ion that to raise resources, three options are available, which are as follows: *To appeal to individuals/institutions to undertake the complete renovation of a bungli and/or pavilion. *To appeal for generous donations, in cash and kind, from members of the community for the general upkeep of the Doongerwadi properties, including proper maintenance of the bunglis/pa- vilions. We have been receiving such donations which have gone a long way in repairs/renovations of the lower bunglis (Darvish and Tarachand) and the upper bunglis (Hodiwala and Wadia, and repairs to Bennett have been sched- ' uled). *To revive the system of seeking volun ­ tary contributions at uthamna ceremo ­ nies (as per the earlier practice) when at the end of the ceremony, the relatives and friends of the deceased generally announced donations in the naiyat or memory of the deceased and to com­ memorate his/her name. “The operation would be very trans ­ parent in as much as the amounts so collected would be displayed on a board at the manager ’s office at Doongerwadi and an annual statement of such collec ­ tions would be compiled and announced. The receipts from this scheme would be utilized exclusively for the maintenance of the Doongerwadi estate and related expenses. ” For the present, Kavarana was able to arrange for free saplings from the Tata nursery and the Garnac nursery, includ ­ ing special almond trees, says the lone female voice on the BPP board who is not only concerned about the mainte ­ nance at Doongerwadi but the well-be- .¦ 4' * For Pure Diamonds t JEWELLERS 324, Grant Road, Bombay 400007. Telephone 3099648 Fax 3073483 APPOINTED VALUERS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 24 Parsiana October 1998 %I 11 Illi ow a li BiiK ssi iiSaB life'*. Wi'1 * Ir^ V' ( Sustained afforestation efforts to preserve the sanctity of dokhmenashini; different vistas of the Doongerwadi property where trees of different heights and hues cast shadows and offer breathing space to the inhabitants; new flower beds outside the Bennett Bungli (right) 26 Parsiana October 1998 % i I¦4^ 27 Parsiana October 1998Courtesy Mr Jamshed Guzder Under the auspices of the MAZDAYASNIE MONASTERIE and the ALL INDIA SHAH BEHRAM BAUG SOCIETY (for Scientific and Educational Research) in the world The one and only ZOROASTRIAN COLLEGE Correspondence address ; Mustafa Building, {2nd floor), Sir Pherozeshah Mehta Road, Bombay 400001. India, Tel: 2660214, 2662950 after hours; 3644737 Fax; Bombay India 022-2662735-A/c 121 and 3634274 A/c 141 DAME DR. PROF. MEHER MASTER-MOOS LECTURES IN EUROPE Avesta Prayers and putting into practice the breathing exercises of Dr. Hannish, and International Advisory Board Mem ­ ber for Germany , Founder of the Ars Re ­ gia, since past seven years is conducting and many others had attended the Annual REPORT OF LECTURES, CON­ FERENCES, &AWARDSFUNCTIONS EUROPE TOUR OF APRIL - MAY . 1998 - ENGLAND, FRANCE, SWIT- Diploma Courses of the Zoroastrian Col- month of May Zoroastrian College Teach- ZERLAND,BELGIUM,GERMANY, lege in Germany. Over 30 persons in ing Seminar so well conducted by Prof. AUSTRIA,POLAND MAZDASNANS (22) Wednesday 20th May saw Dame Meher on the return journey to Vienna past Bruck am der Mur, although it was a great pity that a visit to the renowned Cathedral at Mariazell could not be man ­ aged within the available time. In Vienna, the Kunst Museum and a ride around the Dr. Karl Lueger Ring, past the Parliament Cultic places in caves in Germany dating Building with its stylised Asho Farohar 1 figure nestling in the arms of the golden Mystic photographic methods they take statueofPallasAthenae,deservedaflying photographs of the astral bodies of the visit before an intensive discussion meet- < ingwithDr.CarloCeretiandDr.Chlodwig caves which were Mithra Temples and Werba at the Institute and dinner at home at Rhoda ’s flat with Dr. Shiraz Rabadi. It was a great pity that time did not permit a carriage ride in the Vienna woods, or a waltz at the Stadt Park; or even a visit to St. Stephen ’s Dom, or a visit to Rhoda and her family in Schwarenau. (23) Itwasthemostjoyful reunion with the circle of dear, old and trusted friends. Prof. Dr. Siegfried Hermer-ding, the Zoroastrian College main Representative lege in Germany. Over 30 persons in Europe have qualified through his Course Siegfried and Dr. Mrs. LisaHermerding. A on the Ancient Cosmic Wisdom. Frau Zoroastrian Fire Cererhony using the Dr. Lisa Hermerding is a qualified Heil Aferganyu and Lalo and Havanim from Praktor, and also their son, and they con ­ duct a very successful Alternative Medi ­ cine Clinic in Hannover using Acupunc ­ ture, Tachyon Light Energies, Ancient May passed peacefully in the serene coun- Germanicand AvestanMinthras. Through try side atmosphere of Bringhausen. The the Ars Regia group they explore Ancient H.Q.Building has expended considerably ¦ ' • ¦ ¦ " ¦ ¦ J since Dame Meher ’s first visit there,in back to the Peshdadian Dynasty. Using August 1985, under the new manage- ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ment. But the old spirit needed reviving. Mazdasnans are strict vegetarians, fol ­ ancient times beings who inhabit these lowing the Fasli Calendar Ghambars, de ­ voutly singing Avestan Hymns and put ­ ting into practice the teaching of Asho Mazdasnan H.Q. atBringhausen, staunch Spitaman Zarathustra of Good Thoughts, old time fol lowers of Dr. Otto Zaradusht Goods Words and Good Deeds. The Semi- Hannish, Zoroaslrian College friends and nar was very well organised with several supporters Margrit Kuster, Herr Tello speakers; including a film on the mysteri- Sandoz, young at 85, Frau Eva Raub, a ous Corn Circles and designs of book shop proprietor and film maker of Achemenian Cuneiform characters which esoteric video films recording the work of suddenly appear in the com fields of Prof. Siegfried and Dr. Lisa Hermerding England and Europe. An Austrian based and Frau Kokh, playing the piano in the study group had produced a video of these beautiful hall accompanying singing the strange messages coming,to Earth from Bombay Agiaries was under progress when Dame Meher reached Bringhausen on Thursday 21st evening. 22nd/23rd/24th * Fire Temples of olden times. At the T * Prof. Dr. Siegfried & Dr. Mrs.Lisa Hermerding at Bringhausen Mazdasnan H.Q. on 22nd May 1998 at the Zoroastrian College - Ars Regia Seminar. Consecrating the Dadgah Fire in an Aferganyu on the lawns of the Zoroastrian Museum in Hamburg University organised by Dr. Prof. Gerd Gropp on 28th May 1998. rAdvertisement I i t I 1 ¦i space ships of far-away stars civilisations, warning the Earth of impendingdisasters. A beautiful ceremony of the Holy Grahl, using ceremonial swords to cut evil, fire for purification and the white light Ta ­ chyon energy which Prof. Seigfried ex ­ tracted from the rocks of ancient Cultic places in Gottland andFinland, to energise the protective light in the Human Aura spiritually charged all the participants on Saturday night. On Sunday morning, dear friend and staunch Zoroastrian College supporter, Margrit, and Tello performed the Mazdasnans Sunday morning Avestan prayers Fire Ceremony, most moving and inspiring. The College Flag with its Asho Farohar Symbol flying around the Earth, the Parsi Flag designed by Dr. Jehangir Medora of Canada, were beautifully draped on the walls of the hall with Schloss Waldeck straddling across the hilltop in the distance. The month of May Blossom time painted exquisite colours of fresh ­ ness of green grass and pink blossom with the fragrance of a myriad flowers wafting on the breeze in the countryside around Brighausen, bursting with the energy of Springtime. (24) Herr Jurgen Mische and Lady Justice Ingrid Mische Petri, distin ­ guished legal luminaries and members of the Ars Regia Circle, and devoted friends ofProf. Siegfriend andDr. LisaHermerding had graciously invited Dame Meher to their home in Detmold. THE EXTERNSTEIN CAVES These Ancient Rocks from the last Ice Age, dragged and deposited in the midst of the Hannoverian plains North of the HarzMountains, were the home of aflour- ishing community of Ancient time Maghavs who had constructed a Mithra Temple and Observatory on the top of the highest Rock. There was a rock used as a Dakhma, near the lake, and caves hol ­ lowed out at the base of the rocks used as a Fire Temple in ancient times. The carv ­ ings, chisolling of the inside of the caves markings were similar to what is described by Late Ustad Saheb Behramshah N. Shroff of the great Fire Temple Cave in Demavand. On Monday 25th May morn ­ ing, Jurgon had invited a friend of his who is very knowledgeable about the Earth Geomagnetic currents and energy circuits of the Extemstein; which was very pow­ erful in ancient times when the energy circuits were functioning properly. But the French Emperor Charlemagne in the Dack Ages had destroyed the Externstein and persecuted the Mithra Priests; and built a Cathedral in Detmold. Herr Jurgen and his friend, his son Harald and his College friend Andre, Margrit Kuster and Tello Sandoz, Dame Meher, tried to revive the Ancient Ener ­ gies inside the caves. Dame Meher per ­ formed a Fire Ceremony and Kusti ritual, with recitation of the Avestan Atash Nyaesh; Herr Jurgen and Harald performed a ritual using Tibetian Healing Bowls which resonated when sounded; and Margrit performed an Ancient Germanic Edda Cultic Call. The caves resonated with all these sound vibrations; but the heavy and bad Energies of centuries of disuse were too great; and it would require four pairs of Mobeds to perform Yasna Kriya and Vendidad Ceremonies night and day for at least ten days before the Energies of the Caves can be purified and restored to the Ancient status. Yet till today even after centuries, such is the Mystic Power of the Caves of the Externstein that even today millions of persons visit the Externstein as a place of Pilgrmage, specially gathering there on the Vernal and Autumnal Equinoxes and Summer solstice. After lunch, Herr Jurgen and Justice Ingrid Mische had graciously arranged a tea party visit for Dame Meher to meet Their Serene Highnesses the Prinz zur Lippe and PrinzesszurLippe the present Royal family residing in their Palace in Detmoid. The Prinz traces his ancestry to the 12th century; and to the Kings of Denmark of the Middle Ages. His cousin, father of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands had conferred the prestigious Kinghthood Title of The Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Lippe, a Heraldic chivalric - Order of the 13 th Century on Dame Meher in 1991. It was a memorable tea party with Margrit Kuster, Herr Jurgen and Justice Ingrid, Dame Meher and the Prinz and Prinzess zur Lippe and their faithful dog made seven. The Prinz and Prinzess gra ­ ciously showed their collection of valu ­ able paintings and family portraits in the Palace Gallery. It was with sadness that Dame Meher bid adieu to dear friends Margrit and to Tello after dinner at the home of the Mische family in Detmold. HAMBURGUNIVERSITY ZOROAS­ TRIAN MUSEUM (26) Tuesday 26th saw a quick dash from Detmold to Hamburg and back to Meilendorf and Hannover. Prof. Dr. Gerd Gropp of the University of Hamburg had constructed a Zoroastrian Museum within the University. He had a number of stu ­ dents from the Iranian Community resid ­ ing in Hamburg; and he was very keen that Dame Meher visit the Museum and per ­ form the Boye Ceremony to consecrate a Dadgah Fire, there. From the Mody Atash Behram in Surat Prof. Gerd Gropp had acquired a complete set of Vendidad and Eejashne “Alat ” and also the com­ plete “Alat ” for an Agiary consecrated Fire, including the Aferganyu, Chamach, Chipiyo, Sukher, Lohan etc. With lov ­ ing care and great attention to detail, all this was on display in the three rooms of the Museum which also housed original Artefacts from Iran, from Archeological sites. However, the Fire hazard authori ­ ties prevented the performance of the Boye Ceremony indoors; so all the “Alat ” were carried outdoors onto the lawn; and with the Blessings of AhuraMazda, Adar Yazad, Khurshid Yazad, Meher Yazad, the long ceremony was chmpleted just before the clouds burst with the first drops of rain. The President of the Ira ­ nian Zoroastrian Anjuman of Hamburg and several Iranian students, of Avesta and Persian, were present at the “Boye ” ceremony. There was a very interesting discussion over lunch>with the possi­ bility of a students group from the Ham ­ burg University visiting Iran and India to revive their Ancient Religious toots in collaboration with the Zoroastrian College. A long drive from Hamburg to Meilendorf after lunch brought Dr. Gropp and Dame Meher to the gracious country home of Prof. Siegfried and Dr. Lisa Hermerding; where a group of friends, Frau Eva Raub, Marianne Luder, Herr Jurgen and Justice Ingrid, Dr. Lisa and Prof. Hermerding were awaiting for a tea party . B etter than the famous B lack For­ est cakes and pastries are the cream and strawberries filled cakes of Hannover, served with such loving hospitality by Dr. Lissa. Her beautiful home with her favourite dog, had increased in its col ­ lection of Mystic Arctfacts from Caves in the Eastern Harz, and Cultic places in Gottland, Finland, and Portugal, where she and her husband were conducting their Ars Regia Seminars. They were wanting to train Dame Meher in the use of the White Cosmic Light Tachyon Energy equipment as a health care method. They had graciously arranged a Spargel dinner specially at a very exclusive golf course restaurant between Hannover and Meilendorf. Wonderful and great human beings whose memory track reaches far back into the Ancient Atlantis Civilisation; who are working so hard to prepare the people of Europe for the ad­ vent of Shah Behram V arzavand Saheb. /'•‘*1- 1“^ IS X * ..J Over 325 years ago when the first dokhma was built, the place was a jungle infested with jackals and hyenas. The wilderness today is home to reptiles, birds and insects: a peacock struts on the grounds; bats nesting 30 Parsiana October 1998 ¦4' %« ing of the khandhias as well. Realizing that the concretized road does not lead up to the dokhmas, she is endeavoring to surface them to ease the load for the khandhias. The upkeep of the bunglis too is of concern to Kavarana and her team of volunteers — Mithoo Jesia, Arnavaz Mistry, Silloo Engineer, Armaity Ghas- valla, Maharuivii Noble — who frequent the site by rotation to ensure that they are clean and there are no complaints. Be ­ sides renovating the lower bungli s, cred i t for which should go to Jesia, the upper bunglis too have been fitted with conve ­ niences like Aquaguard water filter to make the stay for the relatives comfort­ able, explains Kavarana. “People must use the bungli like their own house and not like a luxury hotel, ” reminds Kava ­ rana who evinces great interest in im­ proving the greenery around the bunglis too with new flower beds and potted plants. At the lower bunglis, where only the geh sarna prayers are said, after which the prayers are continued at an agiary, most families are not required to spend the night there. But in case there is a death in the afternoon or later, in which case the funeral would be the next morn ­ ing and the family would need to spend the night at the bungli, a bed in the adjoining room has been placed to en ­ able relatives to rest through the night. While some do appreciate this new fa ­ vor, rumors that the tiny bedroom is haunted has led many to forego using this facility. Hand fans are urgently re ­ quired at the lower bunglis, points out one of the Punchayet empl oy ees, promp- ting Kavarana to give an assurance that she would request Union Press to do the needful. Facilities for meals too are arranged at very reasonable rates for the occu ­ pants of all bunglis, points out Kavarana. So when she receives complaints that a cup of tea for Rs 3 is priced too high, she would like to remind the community that almost all conveniences are being subsidized. Even when in mourning, relatives do like to eat a good meal, and yet when vendors selling paneer and kulfi are found on the Doongerwadi premises, thePunchayetls faulted, notes the trustee. Surely the families of the khandhias staying on the Doongerwadi premises have arighttoenjoy life ’s little pleasures from the wares and eats being sold at their doorstep, argues Kavarana who in fact attempts to engage the chil ­ dren of pallbearers at the Sir Ratan Tata Institute where they can learn trades for which they have an aptitude and be independent in life. For the convenience of priests who are required to pray through the night or during early morning hours, there is a special room with beds and lockers. I.- . ti 1 Donors for u hearse are rare Certain lockers have apparently been in disuse for the last several years and since no claimants are coming forward, the Punchayet is planning to break open the locks so that other priests can use the existing facilities. Despite all theirefforts and planning, there is always a shortage of old white bedsheets, sudrehs and lengas which are required for the corpse, mentions Kavarana, urging community members to leave such surplus in their stock at the Doongerwadi or at the Punchayet of­ fice. Over 325 years ago when the first dokhma was “built by Modi Vacha- Gandhi on a small piece of land, it was a jungle then infested with jackals and hyenas. None dared live there...The far ­ sightedness of the pioneering Parsis is something that should leave admiration in the minds of the present generation and generations to come, ” stated Desai in his chronicle, further detailing how “in the year 1960 the trustees undertook to afforest the barren lands and grew as many as about 6,000 trees in less than a decade — casuarina, eucalyptus, silver fern, alphonso mango, babul, coconut, cashew nut, etc. There are also brab and other flowering trees like gulmohur, peltiforme, etc. In parts the land being sheer rock is not amenable to tree cul ­ ture. But over a hundred years ago a number of fruit trees were growing, viz 1,200 toddy palms, 250 brab trees, 250 mango trees, 300 plantain trees, besides pomegranate, sweet lime, oranges, sita- fal,papenas (pompQ\mous),jambul, bor, drum stick, amli, etc. ” The variety of fauna now is restricted to different species of birds, mainly pea ­ cocks and peahens who number nearly 100, some snakes and squirrels, as per Poonawalla ’s guesstimate. Due to soil erosion over the years and the rocky terrain, old trees are uprooted and new ones do not take hold, explains Poonawalla and his assistant DaraElavia. When planting saplings now a six-foot hole is dug and rocks or a brick wall surround the base of the tree at the ground level and above. “Colorful trees and flowers play a great role in making the environment more beautiful and in refining the minds of the inhabitants and ^e visitors on solemn occasions, ” stressed Chothia ' who for the last several years has b^en impressing upon the BPP trustees the need to plant flowering trees of varied hues which can bloom at different times through the year. Following a meeting with Guzder and Poonawalla, in 1994 he had submitted a statement giving the botanical and common name of orna ­ mental flowering trees, describing the tree and the color of its flowers and its season for flowering such that these trees can be planted in a phased manner. He was in favor of planting small sized trees like sonar Australian bawal, labur ­ num, amaltas, jawa-ki-rani, aloes wood, scarlet fountain alongside the Doon ­ gerwadi wall on B. G. Kher Marg and tall trees like tad, Indian cark tree, gul ­ mohur and eucalyptus around the dokhmas. The vultures like to rest and settle on tad trees, was Chothia ’s obser ­ vation. It therefore appears to be a joint ef ­ fort to improve the verdure at the Doon ­ gerwadi; metaphorically, the soil was readied by Chothia, was given a booster by the WZO, and was nurtured by the BPP to ensure that the dokhmenashini tradition continues within the commu ­ nity. As explained by Desai, “The Zoro- astrians consider air, water, earth, trees and all natural elements as sacred and not to be polluted. The dokhma serves that purpose. ” ¦#’ 31 Parsiana October 1998 ICOMMENT Under his able wings Air Vice Marshal (retd) J. H. F. Manekshaw was the first Indian officer to be appointed as a senior medical officer with the Royal Air Force The accomplishments and persona of Air Vice Marshal (retd) Jemi Hormusji Framji Manekshaw who died on June 5,1998 are conveyed in two different accounts sent by Air Commander S. K. Dham, Consultant — Medicine, Army Hospi­ tal, Research and Refer ­ ral, New Delhi and the late officer ’s wife Bhicoo who is a regular contribu ­ tor to Parsiana. ?<*> Manekshaw: a worthy officer and a gentleman Recalls S. K. Dham: J. H. F. Manekshaw had a long and distinguished in ­ nings in the Indian Air Force spanning over 35 years. A pioneer in avia ­ tion medicine, he helped resolve many aeromedi ­ cal problems being expe ­ rienced in the Indian Air Force (lAF) due to the induction of high performance air ­ craft. In 1946, he was the first Indian officer to be posted as the deputy senior medical officer of a group of the Royal Air Force (RAF). He served as senior medical officer of an operational group ofthe lAF during the Kashmir operations in 1948, and was the first to organize air transportation of the sick and wounded , on a regular basis from the forward areas. His suggestions regarding modifications of Dakota aircrafts by installation of por­ table oxygen equipment therein helped in air evacuation of casualties at altitudes above 10,0(X) feet. He trained at the US Naval Aerospace Medical Institute where he obtained a diploma in aviation medicine. He under ­ went flight training in the US and won the wings of a flight surgeon. In 1961 he was appointed deputy air advisor (medi ­ cal) to the Indian High Commission in UK where he served for three years. Along with others he nursed the Insti ­ tute of Aviation Medicine at Bangalore. He served as commandant of the Insti ­ tute for many years and modernized the facilities forevaluation of lAFpilots for airworthiness. For his selfless and distin ­ guished service he was awarded the Ati VishistSevaMedal (AVSM)in 1971 and the Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM) in 1976. ‘Jimmy, ’ as he was af- fectionately known, was a ¦B strict disciplinarian. He had a tough exterior but ^7 P those who served with him know the concern he had WK for each airman and of­ ficer alike. After his re ­ tirement in 1976, he con ­ tinued to render selfless service in charitable insti- / tutions to the poor and . needy. Manekshaw is survived by his wife Bhicoo and daughters Sherna Keki Wadia and Erna Sunil Chandra, and four grandchildren Rohaan, Homi, Zara and Roxanna. Reminisces Bhicoo Manekshaw: At this time, it helps to write about him. As he would have hated dry facts being publicized about him, I would like to write about him in my own way. He was one of the finest human beings I knew, with the highest sense of honor, integrity, discipline, a subtle sense of humor and was a great doctor. He was not an extrovert, one had to come to know him well to understand him. His dry sense of humor could keep people doubled up in laughter. Once we were at a party where I met a fascinating lady who had kept a leopard in her home in Matheran for nearly five years. I was so impressed that I went up to Jimmy, and excitedly said to him, “Jimmy, this lady has kept a leopard in her home for five years! ” With a dead poker face he said, “That ’s nothing, I have been living with a tigress for the last 20 years! ” All the guests were close friends of ours. The laughter was spontaneous and went on for quite some time while he kept look ­ ing at me with a glint in his eyes. Then when everybody was back to normal he came round and put his arm around me and took me in to dinner. I used to make the most terrible faux pas when Jimmy was in service. During the Second World War, while the RAF was in India before our independence, Jimmy was posted in 225 Group RAF with the headquarters in Bangalore. Jimmy was the only lAF officer posted in that Group. It was one of the first mess parties we were attending. An extremely good looking officer came up to me and started talking. After a few polite ex- ' changes he said, “WHtre does your hus ­ band work?” I said to myself, “Gosh, he must be very ignorant not to know where Jimmy worked, ” so I said “In 225 Oroup. ” He replied, “Yes I know, but where in 225 Group? ” That was too much for me so I asked, “Why don ’t you find out? And by the way, where do you work?” “Oh,” he answered, “I hang around 225 Group also. ” When dinner was an ­ nounced Jimmy came up to me and asked what was I talking to the chief about. “What chief? ” I queried. “The man whom you were talking to just now, ” he eluci ­ dated. “Oh,” I said, “I asked him where he worked! ” Jimmy, at once grabbed another glass of whisky from the abdar who was passing by, and asked, “Did you not see the braids on KTs shoulders? ” “Why should I see the braids on his shoulders when he had the deepest of blue eyes and was so handsome? ” I re ­ sponded. The RAF 225 Group at that time represented all of South India! Yet he never ever restricted me or checked me. I could say what I liked and where I liked and sometimes there were some quite uncomfortable moments. He certainly was not one of those who wanted their wives to chat up senior officers. At the farewell party the lAF gave Jimmy on his retirement, the chief naturally said ) a few polite words about me. In his reply, he said, with a twinkle is his eye, looking towards me, that in spite of his wife he had reached the rank he had! Once he felt he was rather harsh with * 32 Parsiana October 1998 *i a junior officer who had done something wrong. The same night, at a mess func ­ tion, he asked me to go and speak to that officer and be kind to him. After a few minutes he joined us — laughed and joked A'ith the officer, and had a drink with him as though nothing had hap ­ pened. This was his way of showing that all was forgiven and forgotten. The y oung officer told me later that it was no wonder Jimmy had the unflinching loyalty of all who worked under him. He told me that he had done something wrong and that he thought he would never be forgiven. (I wonder what it was as nothing could make Jimmy tell me what it was.) With higher authorities, he always stood by his staff; never let them down. For that he had to forego the highest rank he could have achieved. He was a strong disciplinarian and tolerated no nonsense. When he was commanding the Insti ­ tute of Aviation Medicine, all officers and men had to be on time. No untidy uniforms or buttons bleached by the dhobi’s iron or buttons bieacnea ny me anooi s uuu •• ’ - --------------- ; - = were allowed. The garden was his pride very often in the evenings he would be and was immaculately kept. Once all hell greeted by all sorts of people. I would ask gold^^ was let loose when a young lady typist him who they were.J^yeyjurned out to plucked a rose and put it in her hair. He was known as the father of avia ­ tion medicine in the lAF. He was the first . . lAF officer who was selected for training dren. He had a young patient who and was immaculately kept. Once all hell in aviation medicine at the US Naval Aerospace Medical Institute and that was where he also got the wings of a flight surgeon. The school of aviation medi ­ cine was started in a small room and he was connected with it from the start as a squadron leader. Slowly it was built up into the gigantic Institute it is today, the only one of its kind in southeast Asia in the 50s. After his retirement as director of medical research, with the rank of Air Vice Marshal, he devoted himself to the service of the poor. He had an excellent diagnostic sense, practically uncanny. He treated the poor in the Arya Samaj clinic in Vasant Vihar with utmost cour ­ tesy, kindness and gentleness. But God help them if they did not follow his treatment! Yet they insisted on being treated only by him, and no other doctor. They said he had magic in his hands and many returned home, to come later it he was not available. When we lived in Vasant Vihar and used to go for walks be the local washerman, postman, car ­ penter, cobbler, small shopkeeper, etc. He was especially good with chil- was about six years old. She had fallen down and hurt her knee. So Jimmy in his pre ­ scription, along with the treatment, also wrote one ice cream of her choice until she was cured, along with a Limca twice a day! She was so thrilled that when her knee healed, she wrote a note of thank you: “Dear doctor uncle, will you marry me when I grow up? ” The letter was one of his most cherished possessions. It was incredible, how many people whom I had never seen came to see me after he died and just stood there, saying nothing, with tears in their eyes. When I asked them who they were, they would start telling me how he had helped them. He just did what he believed in si­ lently, without talking or advertising his wonderful, kind deeds. I was once traveling by Air India in first class when I was their catering con ­ sultant. I started talking to the gentleman sitting next to me. He turned out to be an ex-IAF pilot. I asked him if he knew Jimmy. He said, “Who does not? The doc with the gruff voice and the heart of < a • That was my husbspid — Air Vice Marshal Jemi Hormusji Framji Manekshaw, AVSM, PVSM who passed" away very peacefully just gazing into my eyes until the last breath. 4' * MASTER MARINE SERVICES Surveyors Licence No: SLA 19207 Surveyors and Consultants Ship, Cargo and Marine Surveyors, Loss Assessors, Technical Consultants, Container Terminal Superintendents and General Contractors, Container Repairers Reefer Cargo/Container Surveyors 22/D, S.A. Brelvi Road, Fort, Mumbai 400001 Phone: 2873567/2832145/2870716/2886642/43 • Cable: ‘MOORINGS’ Telex: 118-2119 MMSB IN • Fax: 91-22-2870139 • Email: g=mms/s=bom/p=gems/a=vsnl/c=in Internet: mms.bom@gems.vsnl.net.in Branches I Ahmedabad - Calcutta - Jaipur - Kandla - Ludhiana - Nhava Sheva - New Delhi - Surat 34 Parsiana October 1998 *HISTORY Gujarat Parsis: Near and yet apart — 5 Bounties for the babies observed to herald the birth of babies Elaborate rituals were the evil spirit, it was stated therein. Their religious beliefs, their mode of celebrating auspicious occasions feasts were i--------- - That the howl of a dog at night is be ­ lieved to foretell a death or other evil in his master ’s family; that the persistent rp?sMe4„\he ,n,ds, of ,his repioi^sg referred to in the fourth breath in sneezing or in yawning is the . work of an evil spirit which should be 1 countered with the words “Broken be ahriman. ” And that a drawn tooth or cut the ground whilst reciting the sacred texts. Insights into the life-style, value sys­ tems, code of conduct, performance ot elaborate ceremonies among the Parsis of Gujarat in the latter part of the 19th Bombay Gazetteer. The relevant chap- bv the noted Bombay dentist and carried over seven (not six, as stated in earlier issues) instalments of Par­ siana. In the first instalment we learnt 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 differ ­ ent factions. Being shrewd traders and business ­ men they were seen f instalment. Not only were they known to own the most beautiful villas and gardens in Surat, but they were also reputed for not having a single beggar Often too were amongst them. The dress and ornaments worn by the priests and laity , the nature of their dwell- I Parsi girl ’s first pregnancy is the pan- ________ fifth-month ceremony. On a and lucky day in the fifth month her hus ­ band ’ s parents present the girl with new clothes worth Rs 20 to Rs 50, or in poor families with three to seven rupees in cash. A more important pregnancy cer ­ emony called agarni takes place in the seventh month. At an hour in the morn ­ ing or evening of some Thursday or Sunday in the seventh month which a Hindu or Parsi astrologer has fixed as lucky, female friends and kinswomen meet in the front halhof the husband ’s house. In the center of the hall lucky chalk-marks are drawn and inside of the ......k.. 1___ - t low wooden stool made without metal nails. The girl stands on 1 the new clothes which her husijand ’s parents have pre ­ sented her. Then the girl ’s mother-m- law or sister-in-law fills her lap with sweet-balls, a coconut, dried dates, al ­ monds and betelnuts and betel-leaves mixed with sesame seed and lemon bijora or pomegranate. Carrying these things in her lap accompanied by female friends and kinswomen and followed by trays of sweet-balls and a basket of wheat, the girl goes to her parents ’ house. At the threshold her igother or some ' other elderly woman waves round her ____ _ _ brass plate with rice and water in it, throws the contents at her feet, breaks an egg and a coconut, and wel ­ comes her to the house. In entering the house the girl steps with her right foot first. She empties the sweetmeats, coco- winnowing fan, and, with a lamp in one hand and a goblet of water in the other, ¦ 1 room which has been made ready for her and, with the before every meal and keeping silence whilst eating! l ’!'™!.” „hn™„oi,in» the sacred tailed in this tilth instaln,ent When a much awaited male child was born, m stead of the child, some cowdung was shown to the mother, supposedly in the marks is set a best interests ofthc mother and the child, v ..................... _ Women who were barren after years of the stool and puE^ on marriage observed different vows in the expectation of improving their fertility. Elaborate were the marriage rituals instalment, the poorest Parsi could hardly code of conduct, performance of century can be had from perusing J_____ _ - ters of the compendium which had been sent to us by the noted Bombay dentist Dr Dinshaw F. Boga are being edited Women who were 1 t 1 VH — , expectation of improving their fertility. Elaborate were the marriage rituals too and as will be noted in the sixth instalment, the poorest Parsi could hardly marry his son for less than Rs 400 or his daughter for less than Rs 250. In the first year after the betrothal , gifts were sent to the girl ’s house by the boy’s parents on 21 occasions, but the girl ’s side had to reciprocate the presents on only five occasions. Most of the practices accompanying death rites seem to be preserved to this day as will be indicated in the last instal ­ ment. There were some noticeably dif ­ ferent customs too; for three days after a cooked in the house men they were seen flourishing along death no food was empties me sweeuiicais, vww- -Ma,a..eoasMe.nea.Heseeo„. a male issue, it was mandatory to an ­ nounce an adoption on the uthamnaday. . —; donations to charitable passes to the lying-in causes made on this day. object of driving evil spirits out of the ings, their life-style and preoccupations found amention in the third instalment. With Parsis, eating and drinking are religious duties which help to drive away The chief ceremonial occasions in a Gujarat Parsi family are first pregnan ­ cies, births, sacred cord-girdings, mar ­ riages and deaths. The first ceremony connected with a room, goes round it seven times pouring water all the time. Sweetmeats are given to the girl and the women who came with her, who taste them and return with the girl to her husband ’s house. 36 Parsiana October 1998 *1 20 days of the birth, presents called vadhavo are sent from the husband ’s a complete parents ’ house five kinds of vegetables consisting chiefly of money to meet the or bhajis are cooked with or without eggs or sheep ’ s brain, fowls, small round chappatis or cakes, and sweet prepara- from the hus-band to the mother. On the morning of the fifth day, in the mother ’s About half an hour after they are gone, a second party starts from the girl ’s mother ’s house with suit of clothes for the girl ’s husband worth Rs 10 to Rs 50. The party are received at the threshold of the hus ­ band ’s house in the same way as the girl tions of dry-ginger and wheat. These was received at her mother ’s threshold. They hand over the dress, taste the sweets and return. From both houses sweets are sent to friends and kinspeople. Some families also ask male and female friends to dinner and spend the day as a holiday. When her time of delivery draws near the young wife goes to her father ’s house. A midwife, who is generally a Hindu of the Hajam or barber caste, is sent for and the girl is taken into the lying-in room and laid on an iron cot. When the child is born the midwife cuts the navel cord, and the cord and after ­ birth are placed in an earthen pot and buried. The child is at once sprinkled with water and the exact hour of its birth carefully noted. A metal-plate is beaten close to its right ear and water in which a twig of the Persian horn Aselepias acida or Sarcstemma viminale bush has been dipped is sweetened with sugar and dropped into the child ’s mouth. As soon as the child i.s born a messenger starts to carry the new.s to the father. The birth of a male child being always most desired, as soon as a male babe is born, any of the relations or friendly neigh ­ bors or servants hasten to convey the glad news to the father who according to things are laid near the mother ’s bed in the dishes in which they were cooked. charges to which the wife ’s family have been put, dresses for the child, and ma ­ terials for a feast, spices, fowls, liquor, honey and mutton varying in value from Rs 15 to Rs 100. Up to the 40th day the mother is kept in the lying-in room care ­ fully tended but not allowed to move or touch anything. On the night after the 40th day, the mother is bathed and puri- For five days after a birth the mother is fed allowed to move among the on light food and the child on sugar and water people of the house. The sacred shirt and cord she wore at the time of the birth are buried, and all the furniture of the lying-in room except the iron bedstead and cradle is given to people of the sweeper caste. Before the child is six months old, and generally before the end of the first 40 days, an astrologer, either a Parsi Five cakes are set at the foot of each of the four bed-posts, five are thrown on the bed, and a little of the cooked food is set in the mother ’s dish. Then betel, dry priest or a Brahman, is asked to prepare dates, rice and red powder are dropped a horoscope. The horoscope, which is a into the mother ’s hands. The mother roll of paper about nine inches wide and takes some red powder and with it marks 10 feet long and costs one or two rupees, ,. her brow, the legs of her cot, and the legs of the child ’s iron cradle. After this a kinswoman drops frankincense on a tire ­ urn and declares that the fifth day or pachori ceremony is over. Large quan ­ tities of all the cooked things arranged in separate dishes are sent to the husband ’s. In some families, especially in villages, the mother is bathed from head to foot on the fifth day. If for any reason this ceremony is not performed on the fifth his means or the joy he feels gives the day it is performed on the 10th, and messenger a rupee or more. When they hear that a child is born the husband ’s mother and some of his kinswomen go to the girl ’s. The hus ­ band ’s mother throws three to nine ru ­ pees on the girl ’s bed and distributes money among the servants. The girl ’s parents present the husband ’s mother with a robe and she returns home. If the parents are longing for a son and if the child is a boy, as soon as he is born the boy is handed to the nurse and hid ­ den, and instead of the child some cowdung is shown to the mother. The boy is then laid on a winnowing fan and is bought from the nurse for Rs 114 and handed to his mother. At the same time the nurse bores both his ears with the end of an unhusked grain of rice. For five days after a birth the mother is fed . _ on light food and the child on sugar and Chhathi or Sathi that is Mother Sixth, brought by married, unwi-dowed girls water. On the second day after the birth may write the child ’s destiny. On the and set near each heap in two or three • a trayful of sugarcandy among which 10th day a tray of sugar-cakes is sent piles, each pile lopped with a coconut; five or seven rupees are laid are sent from the husband ’s to the mother. Within and near the waterpots are laid red yarn. is kept with great care in a box or press and, before a marriagS is fixed, is com­ pared with the horoscope of the other party to the engagement. Before any important undertaking the horoscope is read over to see what are the owner ’s lucky days and times of life, and, if the owner falls seriously ill, the horoscope is examined to see whether he will get better or die. In the third or fifth month after the birth of her child the mother goes to her husband ’s house, taking from called dasori. her father dresses and toys for the child, . On the fifth or other convenient day a wooden cradle and bedding, and sugar- an astrologer, who is either a Brahman or a Parsi priest, is called and told the hour of the child ’s birth. On hearing the hour the astrologer draws chalk-marks on a wooden board and tells the parents emonies called palli and^hokhiar are several names any of which will prove performed by way of thanksgiving. The lucky to the child. The parents generally palli consists of preparing sweet-balls choose one of the names mentioned by and in the morning or evening carrying the astrologer. But if they are much set on some family name, they sometimes call the child by it, though the astrologer sugarcandy and flowers as an offering to did not mention it. On the night of the sixth day lucky chalk-marks are drawn at the head of the mother ’s bed, a nailless stool is set over the marks, and on the stool is placed a tray with a coconut, some rice and betel and a blank paper, an inkstand and a reed pen that the goddess low bench; goblets filled with water are Chhathi or Sathi that is Mother Sixth, cakes and a basket of wheat. This pre ­ sentation is called joriporiliterally mean ­ ing cradle and its appurtenances. On this day, or soon after, two cer- some to the sea or river side and throw­ ing them into the water with a coconut, the water spirit. In the chokhiar cer ­ emony turmeric and red powder marks are drawn on a wall of the room in which the ceremony is to be performed and in front of the marks small heaps of rice, pulse and wheat are laid along a large i 38 Parsiana October 1998 ¦4' * Ia lamp fed with clarified butter, with a the birth of the child, the men of the tiny yellow flag waving near it, is placed house must eat with bare heads. If they near the entrance to the house. In the room in which the child was born are laid in a tray 12 twigs of the milkbush refuse some men are paid to eat with uncovered heads. Some Parsis make a compromise between the vow and their religious duty by eating with half of the head bare. When a boy whose mother has taken a Kharas vow is married, a goat is killed and the boy’s brow is marked with its blood. These vows if once taken become hereditary in the male line of a family, that is they have to be taken by the wives of the sons and grandsons, who have to perform the rite on the birth of every child. Still the woman who performed the last vow may at any time stop the practice by betel, dry dates, jasmine oil and red powder. Four young unmarried boys or girls, bathed and clean-dressed, are seated in a row in front of the bench, jasmine oil is rubbed on their hands, their brows are marked with red powder, Opuntia vulgaris, 12 betelnuts and 12 and red yarn is wound round their right betel-leaves, 12 dry dates, and some ears. They are served with cooked rice, pulse, milk and sugar which has previ ­ ously been offered to the Mata or Mother, that is to the spirit of the day, by throw­ ing frankincense on a fire-urn in the room. The heaps of grain are given to the poor, and the other articles including the water in the goblets are thrown into the sea or into a river. The yellow and red wall marks remain for a week. Families who have adopted the new ideas have apparently also the object of guarding performing palli, that is by throwing dropped the palli and chokhiar ceremo- the child from the evil eye and evil frankincense over a fire-urn, offering nies. spirits. The child who, in cases of vows sweetmeats, and begging that her des- Married women who have been bar- like this, has not yet been laid in the cendants may be freed from the vow. ren for some years sometimes promise, cradle is now placed in it. When the child enters its seventh if a child is given them, to perform If a woman has taken the Khambalini month the sitting or besna ceremony is certain ceremonies. These promises are called goths or vows. The chief of these ;. vows is the Beheramini vow, under which, on the birth of a child the woman lives on fruit and water for 12 days and performs some of the following rites. On the 12th day after the birth of a child grain soaked in water. At midnight the mother with the child in her arms goes to the entrance of the house where are the lamp and the flag, rubs some soot which is given to her from the lamp on her own and the child ’s eyes and returns to her room. Then each of the 12 sets of the articles in the tray are thrown near 12 entrances to the house, and near each entrance an egg is broken. This has the child from the evil eye and evil spirits. The child who, in cases of vows like this, has not yet been laid in the cradle is now placed in it. If a woman has taken the Khambalini Goth or vow, as soon as the child is born performed. The child is dressed in a new a clay image is set opposite the mother ’s silk frock and cap, its brow is marked bed. Before suckling the child, drinking with red powder, and it is made to sit on water, or taking medicine or food the mother asks permission of the image to do so. If a woman has taken the Kharasni Goth or vow, on the sixth day after a stool placed on lucky cf^lk-marks. As it sits the child touches a coconut, which is then broken . The first birthday , and all birthdays to a less extent are days of joy r r 39 Parsiana October 1998r h li H We never take our guests and breath-taking views for granted «¦ J bS’- 5^^ FA • A I? lOi^ Hr./* ¦jS-*' ¦ >jMB Lord’s Central Hotel Matheran 410102 Matheran Telephone 021483-0228 Fax 021483-0595 Bombay telephone 3867776 SIDHVA'S FINE JEWELLERY Export Quality Designer Jewellery in plain gold, genuine diamonds, precious colour stones and pearls studded in gold -- stamped and guaranteed Certified diamonds for investment Best offers and free assessment for old jewellery Exports and design only Inquiries sollicited Contact now on: Tel: 9821136213 or 2068829 Email: ksidhva@hotmail.com cybersid 12 @ yahoo.com P.O. Box No 2058 Kalbadevi Head Post Office Mumbai 400002 40 Parsiana October 1998 The Best Professional Services * ¦k Buying and selling of shares ' Writing accounts Filing of Income Tax returns and also under new scheme of 1 out of 6 Buying and selling of flats/office Application of RA. No. ic Vipul Shah Tel: 4156791/92 Fax: 4124824 and feasting, and friends and kinspeople send the child presents. Parsi boys and girls are received into the Zoroastrian faith between the age of seven and nine. The ceremony which consists of clothing the child with a sacred shirt called sudreh and a sacred cord called kusti, is the navjote or mak ­ ing a new believer. On the day fixed for the ceremony the house is set in order, the family dress in their gayest, and relations and friends are called and treated to a feast. About seven in the morning the child is seated on a stone slab and, guided by a priest, offers a prayer, thanking God for the gift of life and for the beauty of the world. The child chews a pomegranate leaf swal ­ lowing the juice which, like the horn Aselepias acida juice, is believed to pu ­ rify. After chewing the pomegranate leaf the child takes three sips of bull ’s urine nirang repeating between each sip the words “I drink to make my body clean and my soul holy. ” The child then recites the Patet or confession of sin, is undressed, rubbed wl ’lh bull ’s urine, and bathed with cold or hot water warmed by the priest. When the bath oi; nahan ceremony is over the child is brought into the hall where friends and kins ­ people are seated on a large carpet. The child is set on a slightly raised central seat facing the east dressed in trousers, a cap and a muslin shoulder ­ cloth. The officiating priest sits in front of the child with other priests on either side of him. The priests repeat the con ­ fession of sin, the child joining in the * prayer, holding the sacred shirt in its left hand. When the ceremony is over the senior priest draws near the child who rises and standing repeats the words: “The good, just, and true faith that has been sent by the Lord to his creatures is the faith which Zarathosht has brought, rhe I el igion is the religion of Zarathosht, tlie religion of Ahura Mazda given to Zarathosht. ” As the child repeats these words the priest draws the shirt over its head. Then the child takes the sacred woolen cord in both hands, and the priest holding its hands, says, “By the name of the Lord Ahura Mazda, the magnificent, the beautiful, the unseen among the un ­ seen, Lord help us. ” When this is over the priest repeats the sacred-thread prayer in a loud voice, the child joining him. The cord-girding ends by the priest re ­ citing blessings and throwing on the child ’s head rice, pomegranate seed and cocoa-kernel. To be continued , * *BUSINESS Titanic triumph was the reel-life love story between For the exterior shots, the studio built a The tragic story of the sinking of the young stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate 17 million gallon seawater tank in which to sink the ship, states the website. “The film lends itself to a big screen and will lose all its charm if released on video, ” observes Sidhwa. The film has Titanic 86 years ago has turned its film ‘ ' version into a box office triumph for palace that was the Titanic and the poi­ gnancy of its sinking on its maiden voy ­ age, taking to a watery grave 1,500 of its 2,200 people on board. Released by already come on video in the US and it Twentieth Century Fox and Paramount Pictures, Titanic won 11 Oscars, includ ­ ing Best Picture, Best Director (James Cameron) and Best Visual Effects. Tata’s top IT COmpany Software major Tata Consultancy Ser ­ vices (TCS) is India ’s most successful information technology company and its largest software exporter, states Business India, August 10- 23, 1998 in its cover story titled “The jewel in the crown. ” Will Ratan Tata, the chairman ofTata Sons, TCS’ holding com­ pany, take TCS public, the maga ­ zine speculates. In just 30 years, TCS has become the most valu ­ able company in the Tata group and its success haspcome at a time when group giants Tata Engi- iT- neering and Locomotive Com- pany (TELCO) and Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) are bat ­ tling the blows of a sluggish economy. TCS entereid the software mar ­ ket in the 1980s, at a time when computer hardware was a more popular line of business. TCS trained and sent thousands of In ­ dian professionals to work on project sites in the US, providing customized solutions. TCS now has a network of 54 offices spread over 50 countries. “Today our clients are sending their staff to work in our facilities, with our people. That ’s because the infra ­ structure that we ’ve established in India is truly world-class, ” executive vice- president Phiroz Vandrevala informed Business India. Capitalizing on the immediate fear that Y2K, the millennium bug, will cause Recreated from the original blueprints millions of computers to go haywire on of the luxury liner, down to authentic January 1,2000, TCS has built a factory , , in Chennai to provide Y2K solutions. Winslet, the grandeur of the glittering Bombay ’s Regal cinema. The Holly ­ wood blockbuster, which cost over $200 million to make, was watched by over live and a half lakhs of people at Regal alone ! Running for three shows a day for seven and a half months, “the film has broken all records in Regal and in Bombay city for foreign or Indian high ­ est earnings, ” states Maneck Sidhwa, film took almost five years and the wreck, joint managing director of Globe The ­ atres, which owns the Regal. “We have observed an en- tircly different type of crowd B|h coming to see Titanic — bare- BH foot people sitting in balcony hH seats priced at Rs 100 each, and they have probably never seen an English picture before! ” he comments. Though Regal has HH enjoyed box office triumphs through its 64 years with The Ten Commandments and Enter the Dragon running for 31 weeks each and The Sound of Music for 25*** 26 weeks, Sidhwa predicts that the record breaking business that Titanichas generated will be dif ­ ficult to surpass. “It also had a simultaneous, over 30-week run at our Globe theater in Calcutta, ” states an elated Sidhwa, estimat ­ ing that there were over 60 prints of the film released all over In ­ dia. “We paid our staff for four shows though there were only three, ” Sidhwa told the After­ noon on Sunday, October 11, ’98, explaining that ticket prices were steeper as each show was longer than usual. As the serpentine queues for advance booking of tickets stretched almost half a kilometer on either side of the theater, “for the first 10 weeks we practically didn ’ t open our current book­ ing counter, ” booking clerk Jitendra filmed on a 775-foot replica of the ship, Bhise told the Afternoon reporter. “Our just 10 percent smaller than the real one! cinema is famous for its theatrical sys­ tem... it wouldn ’t have been as good anywhere else, ” said usher Harry details of the carpets, crystal and china, Antony, adding that he watched the the interior shots were taken in a 30-foot Currently, as much as 15 percent of TCS 1 revenue comes from Y2K business, the and flooded with five million gallons of publication reports. Its nine crore rupee filtered seawater drawn from the ocean training center in Trivandrum, opened last year, takes in rookies and trans ­ forms them into computer profession ­ als. This year alone, TCS hopes to re ­ won ’t be long before it arrives in India too, he believes. Sidhwa relates that the research for the lying two and a half miles down in the 511 i 11 --T I 1 V ft l.fONAKDO DiCaI'RIO I's "IL Kail VV I NS I IT TITANIC Poster courtesy 20th Century’ Fox North Atlantic in two massive pieces, was repeatedly filmed by special cam ­ eras. The spectacular special effects were movie at least 180 times! Benefitting deep interior tank which could be angled from the film ’s fantastic success too ’ " ' .............. were the soda fountain people at the Regal, with audiences devouring double just yards away in Rosarito Beach, the usual sale of popcorn! Mexico, states Titanic's offical Internet Capturing the public ’s imagination website (http://www.titanicmovie.com ). 41 Parsiana October 1998Do you have a G6PD enzyme deficiency? The G6PD enzyme deficiency, common among the Parsis, makes them highly susceptible to certain drugs.* The deficiency may cause jaundice in the newborn and severe hemolytic crisis (destruction of red blood cells) in adults. Ask your family doctor to arrange for a blood test to detect whether you have G6PD enzyme deficiency. If you happen to be a G6PD-D patient, it is essential that you carry your card at all times so that in any emergency you would receive appropriate treatment. ’Analgesics; Anetanilid, Acetylsalicylic acid, Asprin, Acetophenetidin (Phenacetin), Antipyrine, Pyramidone. Sulfonamides and Sulfones: Sulfanilamide, Sulfapyridine, N2 Acetylsulfanilamide, Sulfacetamide, Sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), Thiazolsuldone, Salicylazosulfapyridine (Azulfadine), Sulfoxone, Sulfamethoxypyridine (Kynex). Antimalarials: Primaquine, Pamaquine, Pentaquine, Quinacrine (Atabrine). Nonsulfonamide antibacterial agents: Furazolidone, Nitrofurantoin (Furadantin), Chloramphenicol, Para-aminosalicylic acid. Miscellaneous: Napthalene, Vitamin K (Water soluble analogues), Prodenecid, Trinitrotoluene, Methylene blue, Dimercaprol (BAL), Pheny­ lhydrazine, Quinine and Quinidine; Sulpha containing compounds including Septran, DOS and Daraprim; Nitrodurantoin, Nalidixic acid including all derivatives of this group, Antistine, Diphenylhydramine, Pronestyl, Nitrites, Large doses of Chloroquine, Chloromycetin, Vit. C & K. Published in the public interest by Parsiana their personal use. We will start stock­ ing the product for local sale before the year end, ” Khusrokhan is reported to emit 3,000 students from colleges all over India. It also has alliances with prestigious establishments like the In ­ dian Institute of Science and foreign have stated in a facsimile response to universities like Boston University, de ­ tails the periodical. The Financial Express. The drug, branded Epivir, was undergoing clinical With revenues of Rs 1,084 crore and trials in several countries also for the a net profit of around Rs 250 crore in 1997-98, TCS was ranked among the top 50 management consultants in the treatment of hepatitis B, an affliction carried by over 40 million Indians, ac ­ cording to the paper. “Hepatitis B is a world by the US-based Consultant News major problem in Asian countries and in 1997. Its net worth has more than other therapies available today are ex ­ tripled in the last five years, asserts Busi­ ness India, predicting that Ratan Tata ’s software companies (TCS and sister company Tata Infotech Limited) are ti 1 1 . _ _ ___• _ ___xl ______ xl __X J pensive and not as safe and easy to use as lamivudine, ” the paper quotes Khusrokhan. The company ’s exports last year amounted to Rs 45 crore, to countries as drive the group ’s valuation in the next far apart as UK, Germany, Russia, Singa- millennium. ” pore, Japan, Australia, New Zealand _ and South Africa, informs the company ’ s annual report for the year ended Decem ­ ber 31,1997. The pharmaceutical major took over the Biddle Sawyer group of companies last year and is targeting a 15 percent sales growth in 1998-99 with the launch of a number of new products, despite the slowdown in the economy. August io, 1998. “So far we have only Khusrokhan is reported to have told The been assisting AIDS sufferers by ar- Economic Times, August 8, 1998. ranging direct supplies for those who wish to import and use the product for compiled by Hilla P. Guzder “slowly emerging as the ones that would Aid for AIDS An anti-AIDS drug, lamivudine, has re ­ cently been registered for treatment of HIV in India, according to Glaxo and Burroughs Wellcome India Limited managing director, Homi R. Khusro ­ khan, reports The Financial Express of Economic Times, August 8, 1998. * With compliments from B. B. GARDA & SONS 10 B. J. Road, Poona 411001 42 Parsiana October 1998HUMOR The irrepressible Rhoda Full of good intentions, it was difficult to fault her for her outspokenness Dilnavaz E. Bhagwagar I have a friend who is to the manor born, dimmed and an expectant hush fell over music, was mercifully obliviou.s of the so to speak. Her nose proclaims her aris- the crowd. Our coffee was nowhere on distraction behind his back, but a thou- tocracy a mile before the rest of her does, the scene but Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was. sand eyes from the audience watched in She is warm and generous and genuinely With folded palms he acknowledged the utter disbelief and outrage as the proces- wants to help. Rhoda is assertive and applause of the audience and settled sion of two made its noisy way across Rhoda is outspoken and in the .JO odd down behind his harmonium. With the the stage, down the steps and straight to dimmed and an expectant hush fell over the crowd. Our coffee was nowhere on the scene but Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was. applause of the audience and settled down behind his harmonium. With the years I’ve known her, Rhoda has provided me some unfor ­ gettable moments. Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, the renowned singing maestro was to perform in the city that night. While both our hus ­ bands flatly refused to sit cross-legged on the ground till past midnight to hear him "bhekhra tano-ing, (howl ­ ing), ” Rhoda decided there was more to life than Mozart and Mantovani; and I, having been exposed to Indian mu ­ sic early in life, was keen to go- With our husbands wav ­ ing us “Good night, have fun. where we were sitting. Never before had I so fervently wished that the earth would open up and swallow me! Rhoda and I have worked together on many committees. One Sunday morning, the two of us went to visit the Collec ­ tor, to retjuest him to be the chief guest at a fund-raising function for the National As­ sociation for the Blind (NAB). A smart young man, well shod and sporting a very fancy wristwatch, answered the doorbell. “Please tell Daddy we have come from the Asso­ ciation for the Blind to meet him,” beamed Rhoda. The boy .<1 dudh valla ni pehelle avi jajo (come home before the milkman does), ” off we went with Hafeez, the trusty driver. We reached in good time and were ushered into the front block, made comfortable with gaddis (mattresses) and bolsters. Since Rhoda ’s ample proportions make it difficult for her to sit on the ground, we had taken one folding chair which we set up at the edge of the seating pandal , so as not to obstruct other people ’s view. Naturally heads turned, but unfazed Rhoda just gave a regal smile all around and settled down in the chair. The mehefil started, with less famous singers setting the mood. After about an hour there was a short break, before Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was to take the stage. Rhoda and I needed a cup of shattered by the clatter of coffee cups on coffee for warmth and revival. Since the coffee stall was on the other side of the pandal from where we were sitting, Hafeez offered to go and bring the cof­ fee for us. In the meanwhile, we stretched our legs and smiled at people we knew. first mcllitluou.s notes, he cast a spell flushed slightly. Askingusto waitonthe over his listeners. His plain face was transformed by an inner radiance as he stretched and teased every line into a dozen variations. His facial contortions and body language matched the depth Collector. A barefoot boy in kurta-pa- and emotional range of his voice. The last notes of the first piece died to thun ­ derous applause. With the audience still in thrall, the maestro started, almost in a whisper, that most heartrending and famous of his songs. Babul mora, nahiar chut na long time). ” jaye. The anguish of a young bride at leaving the safety of her father ’s home and stepping into the unknown, wrung every heart. verandah, he went to convey the mes ­ sage. After 15 impatient minutes on the verandah, there was still no sign of the jama poked his head out and was about to dart back in surprise, ‘when Rhoda in her best Parsi Hindi accosted him with, "Arre sahib ne batao, ki memsahib log, kab ka baitha hai (Do inform the boss that the ladies have been waiting for a a tin tray borne by the coffee boy, fol ­ lowed by the ingenuous Hafeez. Find ­ ing no other way to get from the coffee kiosk to where we were sitting, Hafeez decided that the shortest and only pos­ sible route was across the stage. Bhimsen After about 15 minutes, the lights Joshi, eyes closed and immersed in his When the Collector did emerge, he was profusely apologetic about the delay and immediately ordered, “Sadashiv, chai lao (bring tea)! ” The young man That soul-stirring moment was rudely who had opened the door came in and served us tea. The irrepressible Rhoda said, “Oh Mr Collector, what a smart staff you keep. I thought this was your son! ” “No madam, ” beamed the Collector, “this is my peon. But you must meet my son. Are beta (son) Raju... ” he called out. You ’ve guessed it. Raju was the tousle haired boy who had poked his head out! 44 Parsiana October 1998 *ing. The blind leading the blind is a in short, the works. The attentive officers, immaculately gloved bearers with silver salvers and stemmed goblets evening, which started delightfully, be ­ gan to drag on interminably. Everyone was impatient for dinner but continued to smile politely and nibble at the nuts. When Rhoda complained about the lateness of the hour, an officer whis­ pered into her ear that dinner could not be served till the chief guest indicated he was ready for it. In a voice that carried across the room, Rhoda exclaimed, “Good heavens! Let the General drink till dawn. Why can ’t we be served our dinner at a civilized hour? ” An unbe ­ lieving hush fell over the guests. The intake of breath of the officers was al ­ most audible and the officers ’ wives sighted leading the sighted! quivered in dismay at this travesty of Rhoda ’s husband always joked and protocol. The General, with his handsome head of silver hair and bristling moustache. One beautiful winter morning, we at the NAB had planned to take about 120 children of the blind school for a day ’s outing. Buses were requisitioned, food was packed, the harmonium and durries were bundled in. The children, all visu ­ ally impaired, were in a high state of excitement. Rhoda, always willing and able to help in a good cause, was there along with a few teachers, parents and helpers. It was a very happy morning we spent on Seminary Hills. The children played games and sang songs and felt and fed the deer. After lunch, we de ­ cided to take them across the road for a ride in the mini train. The teachers lined up the younger children, while the help ­ ers took some of the older students by worn-out cliche. Here was a case of the the arm to help them across. Rhoda began to steer one such older person wearing dark glasses. He kept thanked God he was not in the army, protesting that he did not need any help With Rhoda ’s lack of discretion and but Rhoda was firm in her grip and good diplomacy, he would never have gotten detached himself from an adjoining intentions. She admonished him by say- beyond the rank of a captain. Rhoda ing there was nothing wrong in taking went on to prove him almost correct, help, and did he want to be hurt by the traffic, etc. When the poor protesting male crossed the road to the mini train station, those of us who could see the hilarity of the situation burst out laugh- Our group of friends was often in ­ vited to dine and wine at the armed force messes in and around Nagpur. There was one such party for a visiting Gen ­ eral: all starched and straight backs, group and coming over to Rhoda, said, “Madame, how very thoughtless of me. Let the dinner be s^ved at once. And may I have the honor of leading you in to dinner? ” That is my friend, the irrepressible Rhoda. 'i, With Best Wishes From Mr Rusy M. Shroff, M.B.E. and Mrs Purviz R. Shroff 46 Parsiana October 1998MILESTONES Thi.s issue of Parsiana carries the August Bombay death list along with the September data, as it was held over from the September ’98 issue due to con ­ straints of space. The age of Zoroastrian brides (as listed in this issue) ranged between 19 and 38 years, the arithmetic mean (the total num ­ ber of individual ages divided by pectancy at birth for August and the total number of brides) being September, in Bombay, was 75 24 years. The corresponding fig ­ ures for the grooms were 24 and 39 years, averaging at 27 years. There were 192 Zoroastrians who were consigned to the Bom­ bay Towers of Silence for the two months of August and Sep ­ tember as compared to 19 babies born in Bombay in September sistent: we are unable to carry only. The major killer, heart dis ­ ease, claimed 65 lives of whom 30 were above the age of 80. Twenty-five victims fell prey to pneumonia and lung related dis ­ eases and 16 to cancer. Hyper ­ tension took a toll of eight lives whereas seven Zoroastri ans eac h succumbed to old age/general with a copy of the birth certifi- debility,septicemiaandliverdis- ease and six each to diabetes, kidney failure and brain disease. The other killers were fever and Parkinson ’s disease (four each), asthma and malaria (three each) and anemia, haemorrhage and shock due to multiple injuries and haematoma (two each). The 18 isolated cases registered for the two months were: Alzhei ­ mer ’s disease, head injury, ul ­ cerative colitis, bronchitis, pan ­ creatitis, haematemesis, sepsis, paraplegia, arthritis, jaundice, gangrene, dehydration, psychi­ atric illness, ulcer, atherosclero- BOMBAY BORN A boy to Armaity and Parimal Patel on September 1, 1998 A boy to Hutoxi and Adi Kapadia; September 3 A girl, Sanaya, to NHoofer and Jehangir Shroff, sister to Rohaan; September 5 A boy to Asheish and Jehangir Surti; September 6 A girl, Sanaea, to Khushnum and Riyaz Buhariwala; September 8 A boy to Katy and Farhad Damania; September 8 A boy to Kashmira and Jimmy sis (deposition of fatty substan ­ ces in the arteries), malnutrition, non-Hodgkin ’s lymphoma and Hodgkin ’s disease. Two youths, aged 19 and 22 respectively, were also lost to the community. The coroner ’s report was still awaited in the case of one death. The eldest to die was a 97-year-old male. The Zoroastrian life ex- years. The data on births, marriages and deaths has been compiled from information supplied by Dalnavaz Phiroz Subedar and various newsletters and anju- mans in India and abroad, courts and hospitals. This information is not always complete or con- data from areas where the anju- mans do not furnish the particu ­ lars; the birth figures for Bombay Khusbnuma Feroz Chhoga and are supplied by four hospitals — Khushroo Jamshed Khambata; births in suburban hospitals September 13 and private nursing homes are not included unless individuals send us information together September 27 Armaity Shapur Printer and Parvez Peshotan Patel; September 27 cate. There may be an inadvert ­ ent repetition of names in the marriage list when a civil mar ­ riage precedes a religious cer ­ emony. In the breakup of deaths according to illnesses, especially (86), residing at Kashinath of the elderly, death is often due to a combination of several dis ­ eases. If readers have any births/ marriages/deaths they would like Rd, 400007; August 1 published, some proof to ensure the veracity of the report would be required. We are sure our readers would appreciate this requirement and cooperate with us. Gandhi; September 8 A girl to Ballshree and Barseen Bharucha; September 11 A girl, Vahbeez, to NHofer and Darayas Khajotia; September 11 A girl to Niloufer and Mehercher Hakim; September 13 A boy to Nina and Sharokh Engineer; September 15 A boy to Rushna and Khushroo Eorbes; September 15 A boy to Delnaz and Hoshang Zaveri; September 15 A boy to Dhanu and Cyrus Bhathena; September 17 A boy to Arwa and Cyrus Jasavala; September 18 A boy to Perivaz and Burzin Printer; September 21 A boy, Ruhshad, to Gulshan and Rohinton Kasad, brother to Meheryar; September 24 A girl to Dhunu and Paurusasp Tavaria; September 26 A girl to Persis and Behram Fitter; September 30 MARRIED Percy Adi Contractor, July 30 Shehnaz Jal Elavia of Surat and Viraf Darabsha Saber ol Navsari; September 3 Kainaz Zarir Mistry of Bordi and Cherag Jimmy Merchant; September 10 Monaz Erucli Avan and Teivnton Savak Bacha; DIED Jamshedji Sorabji Bhesania Bldg No 1, Kashinath St, Tardeo, 400034; August 1 Dinaz Horni Driver (75), F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, Hughes Russi Tehmasp Patel (72), Windcliffe, 50/D, Pedder Rd, 400026; August 1 Dhun Savak Baria (86), 3/29, A. H. Wadia Baug, Parel Tank Rd, 400033; August 2 Nergish FaramroJ Anklesaria (90), F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, Hughes Rd, 400007; August 3 Dina Homi Chinoy (82), 821, Bombay Market, Tardeo, 400034; August 3 Homai Minoo Engineer (74), 4, Kohiar Hse, Dhuswadi, Dhobitalao, 400002; August 3 Mani Burjorji Jithra (85), Banaji Bldg, Forjett St Cross Lane, Gowalia Tank, 400026; August 3 Jer Minoo Mobedjina (84), Clo August 10 P. S. Cooper, 51, Venus Apts, 87, Cuffe Parade, Colaba, 400005; August 3 Daisy Eddie Pavri (69), 30, India Hse No 2, A. K. Marg, 40(X)36; August 3 Soonu Fredoon Todywalla (77), 12/3, Tata Clny, Tardeo Rd, 400034; August 3 Ratanji Nowroji Bhavnagri (90), Everest Hse, 14, Carmichael Rd, 400026; August 4 Dadi Hiraji Daruwala (Bharuchwala) (85), D-3/23, S. B. Bharucha Baug, S, V. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; August 4 Tehmi Minoo Bhagat (78), Doctor Bldg, 149-A, August Kranti Marg, 400036; August 5 Nazi Jamshed Bhandara (80), Mahalaxmiwalla Bldg No 18, Sleater Rd, 400007; August 5 Kety (Ketayun) Rustom Irani (65), Pundole Bldg, Sleater Rd, 400007; August 5 Adi Kaikhusroo Kutar (68), Baite Zainub, 22, Dadoji Konddeo Marg, 400027; August 5 Zarin Rohinton Mistry (41), 24, 41-43, Police Court Lane, Near Handloom Hse, Fort, 400001; August 5 Dina Padam Panthaky (82), 4/16, Tata Mills Co-op Hsg Soc, Elphinstone Rd, Parel, 400012; August 5 Ratanbai Savaksha Gamir (81), C/3, Parijat, Patel Est, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; August 6 Darabshaw Rustomji Mistry (92), 322-B, George Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; August 8 Bhikhamai Faramroze Patel (82), B, Wassiamul Bldg, Grant Rd, 4000ft7; August 8 Dhanbai Darabsha Bhamgara (83), Parsee Salsette Asso­ ciation, P. P. Rd, Andheri (E), 400093; August 9 Nergish Bomanshaw Jilla (85), J/4, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; August 9 Arnavaz Darab Navder (76), Holland Hse, S. B. Rd, 400039; August 9 Dinoo Keki Wankadia (76), Hirabai Petit Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; August 9 A di Rustomji Avari (86), Jiji Hse, 17, Ravelin St, 400001; * Piroja Khodadad Irani (74), Avanti Soc, Oak Baug, Vallipeer Rd, Kalyan, 421301; August 10 48 Parsiana October 1998 -k(¦ Jehangirji Hormasji Jasawala (88), P. B. Mody Bldg No 6, Gollanji Hill Rd, Parel Village, 40(X)12; August 10 Faramroze Hormusji Tarapore (86), 17, Mulbari Bldg, New Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 400007; August 10 Dolly Phiroze Choksey (82), 15/B, Aruna Nivas, Sleater Rd, 400007; August 11 Nariman Navroji Cooper (65), C/o Godrej Guzder, Kaka Bldg, Gilder Lane, 400008; August 11 Aban Rusi Patel (58), N/9, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; August 11 Nowzer Phirozeshah Mehta (88), Moonlight, 158, M. Karve Rd, Near Sachivalaya, 40(X)20; August 11 Savak Jehangirji Mistry (68), 6, Pitru Chhaya, 1st Cross Lane, Bhajigali, 400007; August 11 Nariman Edulji Mohta {IT), 3, Meher Homes, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; August 11 Nadirshaw Dadabhai Zaiwalla (62), Nana Bldg, Gilder Lane, 400008; August 11 Bainansha Shapurji Deboo (87), 3/5, Tata Mills Co-op Hsg Soc, Elphinstone Rd, Parel, 400012; August 12 Dolly Rohinton Dukandar (51), T-28, Godrej Baug, Off Napean Sea Rd, 400026; August 12 Bachu Jehangir Jesang (67), Patel Bldg, Forjett St, Gowalia Tank, 400036; August 12 Coomi Phiroze Palsetia (75), P/29, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; August 12 Phiroze Bomanshaw Thanewalla (72), A, Bhiwandiwalla Ter, Dhobitalao, 400002; August 12 Pesi Jehangirji Mirza (45), Panthaki Parsi Fire-temple, Turner Rd, Bandra (W), 400050; August 13 Nergish Phiroze Patel (79), A-30, New Khareghat Clny, Babulnath Rd, 400007; August 13 Fall (Framroze) Rustomji Vania (82), 757, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; August 13 Ketty Earach Mehta (64), 2/293, Habib Hse, Grant Rd, 400007; August 14 Jimmy Burjorji Vazifdar (64), C/o Khorshed M. Karbhari, Q-6, S. B. Bharucha Baug, S. V. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; August 14 Dara Pestonji Birdy (88), 11/13, Ratan Tata Bldg, C. J. Clny, Tardeo, 400034; August 15 Gustadji Dinshaji Sabawalla (97), E-10, Captain Clny, Tardeo, 400034; August 15 Erach Dhunjishaw Katpitia (75), 11/1, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; August 16 Saroshbanu Sorabji Rudina (87), D-5, Godrej Baug, Off Napean Sea Rd, 400006; August 16 Nergez Dinyar Aga (88), Lubina, 76, Prof Almeida Rd, Bandra (W), 400050; August 17 Roshan Boman Bharucha (68), Muncher Manzil, 35/C, Jairajbhai Lane, 400(X)8; August 17 Piroja Hormasji Irani (94), E-21, Godrej Baug, Off Napean Sea Rd, 4(X)036; August 17 Eruch Kawasji Tarachand (77), B-3, Ness Baug, Nana Chowk, 400007; August 17 Dhunjisha Sorabji Kalwachwalla (93), New Cama Bldg, 275-J, Chikalwadi, Tardeo Rd, 400007; August 18 Persis Firoze Khambatta (49), 17, Prem Milan, Napean Sea Rd, 400036; August 18 Cyrus Faredoon Madon (44), Aslaji Fire-temple, Near Shapur Baug, V. P. Rd, 400004; August 19 Khushro Munchershaw Pavri (75), Sea Breeze, Ramkrishna Mission Rd, Santacruz (W), 400054; August 19 Dara Kawasji Davar (85), Room no 36, Mulla Manzil, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400(X)7; August 20 Mitha Kersasp Mehta (85), 629, Homavazir Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; August 20 Chandan Gustasp Cooper (71), 5/14, Panthaki Baug, H. S. Lane, Andheri (E), 400069; August 21 Cherag Sarosh Ginwalla (19), 3-C, Il Palazzo, Little Gibbs Rd, 400006; August 21 Kaiki Sorabji Medhora (85), 14, Station Ter, Sleater Rd, 400007; August 21 Parin Dinsha Pavri (85), 9, Trimurti, S. V. Rd, Santacruz (W), 400054; August 21 Behram Manecksha Mistry (72), C-25, Empire Mhl, Dadar, 400014; August 22 Dara Nanabhai Parlewalla (81), 501/A-l, Madhavi Co-op Hsg Soc, Sector 19-A, Nerul, 400706; August 22 Khorladad Behinan Irani {^1), 4/7, Panthaki Baug, Andheri (E), 400069; August 23 Homi Ardeshir Kharas (84), 190, Cumballa Hill, 400036; August 23 Sheran Pestonji Makihatana (82), 693, Dr Dinsha Master Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; August 23 Rusi Sorabji Mistry 2, Khareghat Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; August 23 Dogdo Phiroze Sarkari (hl), B-11, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; August 23 Katy Eruch Bhabha (75), 12, lllava Bldg, Contractor Baug, Mahim, 4(K)016; August 24 Godrej Dossabhai Cooper (63), 1, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; August 24 Hoshang Darashaw Doongaji (83), Coolshanagh, 8, Navroji Gamadia Rd, 400026; August 24 Zarine Jamshed Maneckshaw (91), Princess Bldg, 275, Princess St, 4(KX)02; August 24 Ardeshir Framji Talati (70), B/8, Mistry Bldg, Dr Shirodkar Rd, Parel, 400012; August 24 Silloo Ardeshir Avasia (80), 104/1, Marine Mans, 1st Marine St, 400002; August 25 Yazdi Meherwan Daruvala (58), Dinshaw Mody Bldg, 613, Jame-Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; August 25 Sheroo Tehmul Kalvachia (68), Wadia Block 10, Mal ­ colm Baug, S. V. Rd, Jogesh- wari (W), 400102; August 26 Rati Phiroze Madan (68), 2, Ganga Vihar, Plot No 46/47, TPS 111, 28th Rd, Bandra, 400050; August 26 Kety Minocher Mistry (85), 13/A, Soonawala Bldg, 12th Cross Lane, Khetwadi, 400004; August 26 Bachamai Rustomji Mistry (86), 36/A, Engineer ’s Bglw, Sun Mill Rd, Lower Parel, 400013; August 26 Dinoo Homi Vajifdar (80), 259, Engineer Bldg, Princess St, 400002; August 26 Sorabji Nasarwanji Dalal (95), 1, Queen ’s Court, 136, M. Karve Rd, 400020; August 27 Rustom Merwanji Daruwala (82), Q-2, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; August 27 Meher Nariman Mehta (68), 12, Kanga Bldg, Opp Hindmata Cinema, Dr B. A. Rd, 400014; August 28 Saker Piroshaw Pastakia (87), C/o Jimmy J. Sadri, 6, P. C. Shroff Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; August 28 Allamai Darabshaw Thanawalla (90), 26, A-6/20, Indradhanush, Jeevan Bima Ngr, Borivli (W), 400103; August 28 Hormusji Darabshah Daruwalla (92), B, United Chmbs, Maganlal Ngr, 400007; August 29 Homai Burjorji Karkaria (80), 679, Kudiana Bldg", Katrak Rd, 400031; August 29 Rustom Kaikhasru Kharas (82), Katgara Hse, 15, Napean Sea Rd, 400036; August 29 Coomi Homi Saher (72), G-37, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; August 29 Keki Behramji Shah (76), E/40, Jer Baug, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla, 400027; August 29 Dhunjishaw Savakshaw Goiporia (73), 14, Surti Chmbs, 2nd Dhobitalao Lane, 400002; August 30 Banoo Sorabji Talati (73), Talati Ter, Seven Bglws, J. P. Rd, Versova, Andheri (W), 400061; August 30 Naswan Manchersha Dadina (79), E, Bhiwandiwalla Ter, Dhobitalao, 400002; August 31 Rohinton Manekshaw Sahuna (65), United Chmbs, Opp Bharat Ngr, Grant Rd, 400007; August 31 Nergesh Framroze Damania (73), Dhun Lodge, 271, Tardeo Rd, 400007; September 1 Aloo Minoo Jal (74), 275, Princess Bldg, Princess St, 400002; September 1 Siavax Ardeshir Sinor (76), 14, Maison Belvedere, Queens Rd, New Marine Lines, 400020; September 1 Sapal Faramroze Balaporia (95), 13/A, Soonawala Bldg, Khetwadi 12th Cross Lane, 400004; September 2 Minoo Kharshedji Tarapore (75), Room no 37, Santok Bldg, Dadi Santok Lane, Dhobitalao, 400002; September 2 Hilla Bahadur Udwadia (73), 49 Parsiana October 1998 feKavarana Bldg, Sant Gadge Maharaj Marg, Dadar Cross Rd, Dadar, 400014; September 2 Minoo Burjorji Bajina (78), 20, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; September 3 Minoo Jehangir Doji (60), K-8, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; September 3 Beheram Gustadji Dastoor (67), 617/B, Cooper Bldg, J. S. Rd, 400002; September 3 Manek Pestonji Engineer (90), C/o Yazdi N. Engineer, Aziz Bldg, Tardeo Rd, 400034; September 3 Firoze Savaksha Khursetjee (65), 81, Kapadia Hse, Opp Metro Cinema, S. S. Gaikwad Rd, 400002; September 3 Fardun Edulji Shastri (80), F/11, Godrej Baug, Napean Sea Rd, 400026; September 3 Prochi Shiavax Vakil (78), Windmere, Cuffe Parade, 40(X)05; September 3 Najoo Munchershaw Antia (80), Ashtaad, 674, Rd no 14, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; September 4 Soona Fredoon Billimoria (82), C/o Persis D. Irani, Dhunabad, Warden Rd, 400036; September 4 Marazban Nadirshah Jalnawalla (74), B, Khalakdina Ter, Gowalia Tank, 400036; September 4 Nergis Ratansha Kapadia (67), 534, Marker Hse, Chira Bazar, 400002; September 4 Nariman Dosabhai Navroji (76), F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, Hughes Rd, 400007; September 4 Jainshed Kaikhushru Panthaki (84), Dina Abad, 644, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; September 4 Katy Boman Patel (56), Room no 3, Talukdar Bldg, Parsi Clny, Dr Nair Rd, 400011; September 4 Phiroze Rustomji Shroff (86), 275/H, Motlibai Wadia Bldg, Chikalwadi, Grant Rd, 400007; September 4 Tehmul Behramshah Tarapore (Taraporewala) (78), 82-A, Empire Est, 147, A. K. Marg, Cumballa Hill, 400036; September 4 Adi Jehangirjee Ghadially (85), D-2, Alpa Apts, Pochkhanawala Rd, Worli, 400025; September 5 Bhikhainai Burjorji Wadia (86), M-24, Godrej Baug, Off Napean Sea Rd, 400026; September 5 Rusi Pestonji Bhathena (69), 16, Mehta Bldg, Panthaki Baug, Andheri (E), 400069; September 6 Dadiba Ruttonji Dalal (86), E-18, Shapur Baug, V. P. Rd, 400004; September 6 Mehru Pallonji Mehta (70), 12, Jain Laxmi Mans, 112, Lamington Rd, 400008; September 6 Shirin Gustad Mistry (81), 7, Sunshine, 156, M. Karve Rd, 400020; September 6 Feroz Sorabji Captain (80), 614, Kashinath Bldg, Girgaum Rd, 400002; September 7 Nariman Hormusji Daruwalla (70), Dawoodi Mans, 1st Cross Lane, Off Noshir Bharucha Marg, 400007; September 8 Manek Nadirshah Daruwalla (55), 7B/8, Tata Clny, Tardeo Rd, 400034; September 8 Gool Jal Daroowalla (79), Room no 7, Tata Bldg, Dhanbaiwadi, Vile Parle (W), 400056; September 8 Dolat Rustom Dotivala (88), Ratan Manor, 511 -A, R. P. Masani Rd, Matunga, 400019; September 8 Boman Jamshedji Patel (89), A, Paradise Apts, Napean Sea Rd, 400036; September 8 Homi Dinshawji Sidhwa (62), 23, Sompura Niwas, Vakola Bridge, Santacruz (E), 400055; September 8 Manek Hormusji Gai (85), F. S. Paruk Dharamshalla, Hughes Rd, 400007; September 9 Tehmina Faramroze Jahangir (87), 11/6, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; September 9 Daulatbanoo Cooverji Mistry (85), A, Khalakdina Ter, Gowalia Tank, 400036; September 9 Pheroze Framroze Sarkari (70), Cafe Naaz, Opp Sir P. Mehta Garden, Malabar Hill, 40(X)26; September 9 Fredoon Bomanji Shroff (91), B-36, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; September 9 Shiavax Fardoonji Patel (82), 4/21, A. H. Wadia Baug, Parel Tank Rd, 400033; September 11 Nariman Dossabhai Madon (82), Ahilya Bldg, Congress Hse Lane, V. P. Rd, 400004; September 11 Keki Nariman Mogrelia (73), 6-D, Harbour Heights, B-1, N. A. Sawant Marg, Colaba, 400005; September 11 Banu Ratanshaw Wadia (74), Irani Chawl, Sopari Baug, Parel, 400012; September 12 Jamshed Darabsha Driver CIJ), P/13, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; September 13 Keki Nanabhoy Mehta (84), 94, Mehrdad, 64, Cuffe Parade, 400005; September 13 Freny Behramshah Pestonji (81), F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, Hughes Rd, 400007; September 13 Ratanshaw Hiraji Tampal (69), C/o T. M. Buhariwala, M-26, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; September 13 Homsi Pliiroze Chinoy (73), 16B Keval Mhl, 64, Marine Drive, 400020; September 14 Khorshed Ardeshir Dastur (87), Aziz Bldg, Tardeo, 400034; September 14 Homi Bomanshaw Gamat (87), Sohrab Hse, 607-B, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; September 14 Piroja Peshotan Patel (88), 2/4, Meher Homes, Opp Jogeshwari Stn (W), 4()0102; September 14 Freny Jehangir Petigara (73), Habib Hse, 293, Grant Rd Corner, 400007; September 14 Khorshed Hormusji Wadia (86), Silverene, 63, Worli Sea Face, 400025; September 14 Mehra Bapuji Kerawalla (89), Jame Jamshed Bldg, 811, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; September 15 Freny Minoo Patel (65), C/o Dr Freny Cama Hostel, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; September 15 Jimmy Motaji Anklesaria (67), N-7, S. B. Bharucha Baug, S. V. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; September 16 Dadi Dorabji Bharthania (71), A, Ashoka Apts, B-3, Strand Rd, Colaba, 400(X)5; September 16 Perin Homi Harda (70), 4, Banaji Trust Bldg, Contractor Baug, Mori Rd, Mahim, 400016; September 17 Katie Behram Sethna (67), G-49, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; September 18 Katy Jal Choksy (75), 34, Perry Rd, Bandra, 4(X)050; September 19 Bala (Balamai) Pestonji Pithawala (11), Khurshed Mhl, 725, Dr Dinshaw Master Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; September 19 Minocher Framji Hansotia (93), 5A, Balmoral Hall, 7, Mt Mary Rd, Bandra, 4(X)050; September 20 Phiroze Dinshaw Mistry (42), N-30, Godrej Baug, Off Napean Sea Rd, 400036; September 20 Dosibai Darubsha Taraporewalla (78), E/5, Highway Park, D/516, Thakur Complex, Kandivli (E), 400101; September 20 Pesi Burjorji Mulla (66), Samarth, 607-C, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; September 21 Zal Sheriar Tavakkuli (46), Rustom Court, Opp Podar Hosp, Dr Annie Besant Rd, 400025; September 21 Mani Jamshed Marolia (78), 103, Jupiter Apts, Cuffe Parade, 400005; September 22 Purvez Jal Poonawalla (60), A-12, Shapur Baug, V. P. Rd, 400004; September 22 GayomartFFramroze Mistry (66), 4, Sadhana Apts, Village Nalla, Nallasopara (W); September 23 Minoo Jehangirji Daruvalla (70), 45-46, Sai Ashish, Off Dr Peter Dias Rd, Hill Rd, Bandra, 400050; September 24 Hormasji Pestonjee Kappawalla (87), Vimala Sadan, Navroz Vakil St, Nanachowk, 400007; September 24 Persi Fall Jokhi (22), Room no 22-B, Sangeeta Co-op Hsg Soc, Chincholi Bunder Rd, Malad, 4(X)064; September 24 Dinshaw Kaikhashru Sanjana (71), G-31, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039("September 24 Khorshed Rustom Taraporvala (80), Family Hse, 794, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; September 24 Naju Maneck Vajifdar (79), 49A, 3rd Marine St, Dhobitalao, 400002; September 24 Rustom Sohrab Bamji (77), 658, Firdausi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; September 25 Minoo Ardeshir Gagarat (94), Sleater Hse no 2, Sleater Rd, 400007; September 25 Manekbai Kaikhusru Lal (87), Albless Bldg, Chikalwadi, Grant Rd, 400007; September 25 Noshir Kaiki Bengalli (71), 25-1/B, Tata Mills Co-op Hsg 50 Parsiana October 1998 %Soc Ltd, Elphinstone Rd, Parel, 400012; September 26 Dolly Jamshed Bhathena (73), A-26, Gool Mhl, Sleater Rd, 400007; September 26 Banoobai Jehangir Karanjia (85), C-9, Godrej Bang, Napean Sea Rd, 400026; September 26 Jamshedji Faramji Patel (70), Shreeji Hse, 75, Mint Rd, Fort, 400001; September 26 Adi Maneckshaw Poonegar (56), 3/4, Shroff Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; September 26 Perin Jehangir Daruwala (79), Daruwala Bldg, Joshi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; September 29 Shirin Edulji Madon (80), Desai Bldg, 668, Katrak Rd, Wadala, 400031; September 29 Cool Noshir Mislry (88), 6, Sea Belle, Napean Sea Rd, 400006; September 29 Neville Maneck Ratnagar (53), Jer Mans, 70/B, August Kranti Marg, 4(K)036; September 29 Freny Dinyar Umrigar (56), 785/C, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; September 29 Munclii Jehangir Choksi (71), 34, Panorama Tower, Lokhandwalla Complex, Andheri (W), 400058; September 30 Ruhengiz (Shirin Daulat) Merwan Demehri (66), 319, Mitha Mans, Fort, 4(X)001; September 30 Parvez Hormusji Karanjia (11), C/o Nergis Limji Khodaiji, Hendre Bldg, 8, Sleater Rd, 400007; September 30 Mani Erachshah Wadia (64), Ripon Bldg, Balaram St, 40{X)07; September 30 CALCUTTA MARRIED Gulshan Soli Manekshaw of Nepal and Behram Noshir Bulsara', September 1 Shiroini Keki Pardiwala and Adil Noshir Bulsara', September 6 DIED Ardeshir Merwanjee Vandrevala, husband of late Mehermai and father of Kersi, Firdose and Phiroze; September 13 DELHI DIED Jemi (Jimmy) Hormusji Manekshaw, husband of Bhicoo and father of Sherna Keki Wadia and Erna Sunil Chandra; June 5 POONA DIED Hoshang Beliramsha Contrac­ tor (62), 9, Hindustan Court, Kalyaninagar, 411001; August 13 A loo Ratansha Dhalla (75), 6, Royal Home, Aundh, 411007; August 13 Zeqxis Sheriar Fatakia (49), Jamasp Bldg, Ma-Perviz Rd, 411002; August 22 Dina Cyrus Dastur (88), 14, Stavely Rd, 411001; August 31 Dinamai Nariman Printer (91), Grafikon Niwas, Viman Ngr, 411014; September 1 Phiroze Sorabji Bodhanwalla (69), 5/73, Gitanjali Kunj, 411001; September 5 Coomi Jal Pardiwalla (88), 48-50/A, Saidunissa Bldg, Sleater Rd, Bombay, 4(X)007; September 9 Nusserwanji (Noshir) Dorab Nagarwalla (89), 3, Nagar Rd, 411006; September 11 Dinsbaw Jehangirji Sopariwala (15), Canopus Apts, Boat Club Rd, 411001; September 13 Sorab Eruch Khambatta (82), 13/A, Mody Clny, 411001; September 15 SURAT DIED Jal Balieramsha Bacha (76), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; September 2 Nariman Jebangirji Munshi (84), Village Akhakhole, Dist Surat; September 4 Parin Jalegar Bhathena (51), Darji Mohallo, Village Bhatha, Dist Surat, 394510; September 7 Minoo Sorabji Darbari (75), Sarosh Villa, 4, State Bank Clny, Adarsh Ngr, Jalgaon, 425002; September 10 Manek (Miki) Doshabai Shahna (47), Badari Mans, Cinema Rd, 395003; September 15 Kaikhushroo Shapoorji Dumasia (91), Narayan Sadan, Popat St, Nanpura, 395001; September 20 Goolchair Behramji Dalal (92), C/o Nariman Parsi Girls Orphanage, 395(X)3; September 21 Jainshedji Burjorji Khasimai (83), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; September 27 Keki Darabshaw Bharucha (65), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; September 28 Nergish Ardeshir Vakil (88), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; September 28 *** AUSTRALIA New South Wales BORN A boy, Nima, to Gita and Mehzad Zartoushti', May 6 Twins (boys), Rehan and Rislmd, to Larnaz and Viraf Kharadi at Sydney; September 15 CANADA British Columbia DIED Firouzeh Foroutan (92), mother of Goli Farhangi and Iradj Afsari at Vancouver; March 24 Banoo Poulad-Noshiravan (Rokhwa) (82), mother of Parvin Zartoshty, Rostam and Poulad at Vancouver; August 18 Ontario BORN A girl, Mehra June, to Andrea and Navroze Balsara', September 1 MARRIED Mehroo Sattha and Rohinton Chothia; July 5 Deenah Byramjee, daughter of Free Parsiana calendar for subscribers A special December supplement of Parsiana will carry a calendar giving the English, Shehenshahi, Kadmi and Fasli dates/rojs for January to December 1999 Kermin and Marzie, and Daniel Patel, son of Gulrukh and Cawas; August 2 Farnaaz Irani, daughter of Farida and Noshir, and Craig Maurice, son of Lynne and Bert; August 8 DIED Mani Phiroze Vajifdar, mother of Zarine Jehangir Chenoy, Shernaz Colabewala and Khushroo at Toronto; June 14 Thrity Feroze Patel, mother of Rayomand and Parizad; August 30 Rostam Foladian, husband of Rowshan and father of Jamshid and Shanaz Keykhosravani at Ottawa; September 26 Quebec MARRIED Hutoxi Batliwalla, daughter of Kety and Dinshaw, and Jamshed Pithawala, son of Mehroo and Dara at Ottawa; July 25 Mandana Keyl^osravani, daughter of Parvaneh and Rostam, and Shahriyar Shirani ' at Ottawa; August 22 i I ! IRAN Khorramshahr DIED Ardeshir Bazadeh (67), husband of Kian and father of Bahram and Homa; May 29 -i'' PAKISTAN Karachi BORN A boy, Aresh, to Jasmine and Sarosh Gamwalla; March 5 A girt, Sharmene, to Pouruchisty and Freddy Sidhwa', June 30 A girl, Daena, to I^aleara and Sheriar Hirjikaka', July 29 51 Parsiana October 1998DIED Phiroze Ardeshir Sethna (60); April 17 Noshir Zubin Mama (69); May 11 Kavas Framroze Dinshaw (78); May 13 Lovji Dhunjishaw Wadia (77); May 23 Mehru R. Daruwalla (87); May 25 Naju B. Bharucha (79); June 5 Shera P. Bhurekhan (78); June 10 Nargish Soli Dubash (86); June 10 Homai J. Vania (88); June 14 Peshotan Dinshaw Bhadha (72); June 14 Keki Pirojshaw Kerawalla (70); June 30 Amy Nadirshah Vakil (79), sister of Nargis Dhunjeebhoy; July 14 Rumi Noshir Sidhwa (57); July 30 Goal Pheroze Thanawalla (82), mother of Nazneen Ehler Spliedt, Sarfaraz Feroz Golwalla and Anahita Feroze Sidhwa; July 30 Yesmin Meherwan Irani (61); August 3 Nowzer Pherozeshah Mehta; August 11 BIRTHS Boys Girls MARRIAGES Parsi INTERCOMMUNAL Males married out Females married out DEATHS CONSIGNED Males Females CREMATED Males Females RGURES AT A GLANCE* Bombay This issue 1998* India This issue 1998* World This issue 1998* 12 7 99 93 74 63 38 28 155 14 17 380 403 15 7 96 78 15 16 14 35 34 Multan BORN A boy, Zahan, to Havovi and Peshotan Bomanjk July 3 ?Running totals for 1998 (January-October issues) Overseas deaths are listed in the consigned column as Parstana does not have a breakup of those cremated. ‘These figures pertain to information provided to or collected by Parsiana. They do i»t represent the total number of births, marriages and deaths in the Zoroastrian community in India and abroad. Montrose Court, Princes Gate, SW7 2QG; September 10 Mani Shroff (84), 22, Crescent Wood Rd, SE26 6RU; September 14 Zaryab Hamavand at San Jose; August 7 and Farhad Verahrami, sister to Anahita at North Potomac; September 3 UAE Dubai BORN A boy, Varun, to Zenobia and Bonii Shroff, March 31 Middlesex BORN A girl, Tiraza, to Shenaz and Cyrus Bhote, sister to Yazata at Harrow; July 5 UK MARRIED Rashna Minoo Writer and Roger Ryder, July 6 DIED Dinshaw Sorabji Rupa (67), 4, Parkside Drive, Edgware; August 8 DIED Golbanoo Shahmardan Goshtasbi (86), mother of Parizad Kavoosi, Kiandokht, Ardeshir and Homa Shahmardan at San Francisco; February 13 Sohrab Cowas Irani, husband of Homai and father of Cyrus, Darius and Godafrid at Los Angeles; July 7 Massachusetts DIED Maneck Dastur, father of Zarine Dumasia at Boston; July 12 Ohio BORN A girl, Olivia, to Tenaz and Farhad Sahiar; August 7 London MARRIED Perviz Mehta, daughter of Zenobia and Jemi, and Farrokh Daruwalla, son of Kety and Eruch; September 5 Scotland DIED Kaikhusliru J. Billiinoria, 110, Park Rd, Glasgow; May 14 Surrey BORN A boy, Kiyan, to Kaizarin and Mickey Kalifa at Richmond; August 23 Florida MARRIED Shiraz Daruwala, daughter of Arnavaz and Hoshang, and Jal Irani of England, son of Dolly and Baman at Tampa; June 21 Texas BORN A girl, Nisa, to Afsaneh and Manouchehr Samiya', March 26 DIED Banuinai Sorabji Sethna (92), 53, Musgrave Court, 110, Battersea Bridge Rd, SWl 1 3AN; July 16 Phiroze J. Pochkhanawalla (62), 20B, Primrose Gardens, Hampstead, NW3; August 13 Morverid M. Falahati (94), 85, USA California BORN A boy. Jay Farhad, to Anita and Jamshid Karanjia', May 31 Illinois MARRIED Yasmin Bhathena, daughter of Katy and Kersi, and Reji Kothari, son of Yasmin and Kanti; May 15 Mithra Hooshmand Kadkhodaian and Matthew Edward Zaucha at Schaumburg; July 11 MARRIED Jarafshan Mobed, daughter of Roshni and Jamshed, and Tehmus Mistry of New Zealand, son of Thrity and Yazdi at Houston; June 6 MARRIED Katayoun Shahbandari and Maryland BORN A girl, Roksana, to Shehernaz Virginia BORN A boy, Zubin, to Hufrish and Rohintan Patel, brother to Bahman at Centreville; April 25 Compiled by Roxana A. Driver 1 4 9 1 6 2 6 8 1 1 4 1 4 7 4 i I 52 Parsiana October 1998