Nov 1998

i I NOVEMBER1998 Rs 27 ,5 ¦^^4 1 I I i PhanuaeeuHctil Chief Honii Khtisroklum i f L ¦November 1998 Volume 21 Number 5 J 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. Batliwalla, K. P. Ravi SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Khurshid Panthaki ASSISTANT SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Swarupa Kamat ACCOUNTANT Anagha Korde ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT Varsha Godbole ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT Indu Pillai OFFICE ASSISTANTS Umesh Poojary, Selvan Mark, Sunil Sakhare, Govind Salgaonkar, Mahipat Jadhav 2 Readers’ Forum 9 Events and Personalities 18 Zoroastrians Abroad: Pesh Framjee by Shernaaz Engineer 22 Homi Khusrokhan: Managing the mergers by Parinaz Gandhi 26 The Federation’s capital concerns by Arnavaz Mama 42 19th century Gujarat Parsis: Near and yet apart - 6 50 Milestones 52 In Memoriam: Homi J. H. Taleyarkhan Cover: Photograph by Satish Shenoy 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, 2072^24. 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.RFADERS’ forum A Chinese soothsayer is supposed to have looked into their faces and proph- l-JS too .. J© t 1000 ing religion or faith, and they exist in all decent human beings. I am referring to integrity and honesty which create the esied the boy’s brilliant future. ® U C A DC t Readers’ views are welcome on any subject of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400001. Letters are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. Unsigned letters or those without an address will not be published. basis for our long-term interpersonal growth. I also refer to fairness, out of which equality and a sense of justice is born. I refer to service, and to the idea of Hilla Guzder repUe^s making a contribution to our world. I T was always instilled with the principle Jamsetjee of potential as I grew and developed my Jejeebhoy, First talents. We will do the same for our Parsi Baronet ; children and regardless of whether they written in Guj- are “half Parsis, ” with these principles arati and pub- they will learn the solid foundation for lishedalmost 100 lasting happiness and success. . . . Mr Patel, you also make the analogy to Jamsetjee vis- ofoffspring from intermarriage with the ^-i—- mango trees at the Macau cemetery that “bore worthless fruits. Why so? Be ­ cause the seeds had incompatible soil. ” You question whether one would “al ­ low ” a “pedigree Dalmation bitch to be mated with any other dog except a Dalmation and (thus) sacrifice the pedi ­ gree of the pups. ” To this I would say that what makes us different from ani ­ mals and plants is the fundamental prin- ci Dr H. S. ADENWALLA Trichur Ratanji Behramji Madon in his book Sir talents. We will do the same for our ClllIUlVIl v*»»*.* « —---------- ------- < . fl 1 are “half Parsis, ” with these principles arati and pub- years ago refers .j iting Calcutta in 1799 with his pitrai bhai (fa ­ ther ’s brother ’s The Tabak son) Seth Mer- connection wanji Maneckji Tabak who had been trading with China since 1790. Jamsetjee ’s first voyage to China was as Tabak ’s mehta or accounts cleric. Madon writes that one day whfle ; J i sitting in Tabak ’s office negotiating a sale of opium, a prominent Chinese merchant who had been closely 4. “Milestones ” This is in response to a letter from Mr Rustom D. Patel from Hong Kong (“Milestones, ” Readers ’ Forum, Par­ siana, June 1998). Like Mr Patel I too live in Hong Kong. I have never met him, but if I ever did, the following is what I would say. In doing so I am certain that I would echo the feelings of many intermarried Zoroastrians around the world. Mr Patel, you question my mental maturity and state that I have a “lack ot appreciation of the true Zoroastrian spirit ” for having married a non-Zoroas- trian. I was brought up in a Zoroastrian spirit, and I was taught principles. These principles are like a lighthouse, they guide you through life. They are natural iple about the nature of man. We have Jamsetjee was an imagination, a sense of self aware ­ ness and a conscience. A conscience -------------- • . t that teaches us right from wrong. We observing him prophesied that Jamsetjee have an independent will and the ability would later become a prosperous mer- to act free of influences. These human endowments lift us above the animal world. To what extent we exercise and develop these human rights empowers us to fulfil our human potential. If we were to compare ourselves to nature we would be limited to stimulus and re ­ sponse. But we as humans have the unique potential that between stimulus and response we have the greatest power — the freedom to choose. It is with this freedom to choose that we make our choices in life and in love. TINA BALSARA VASVANI Hong Kong chant himself and that his employer Tabak would become his employee. Later, Tabak suffered great losses in his trade and closed down his business, whereas Jamsetjee rose to fame and for­ tune. Madon states that Jamsetjee later sent Tabak to China as his representa ­ tive. It might also interest Dr Adenwalla to know that Sir Jamsetje& ’s son Rus- tomjee married a member of the Tabak family. Rustomjee ’s marriage on Janu ­ ary 14, 1836 to Soonabai Muncherji Tabak was celebrated with Jamsetjee hosting a splendid ball, with the gover ­ nor Sir Robert Grant and other high officials being among the invitees. The bridegroom was all of 12 years old, the laws that don ’t change and cannot be broken. They govern our our happiness. They are not unique to my religion but are part of every endur- “The benevolent Baron “The benevolent Baron ” (Parsiana, --------------------. . April ’98) was a nice article. Could the age of the bride is not mentioned! author Hilla P. Guzder tell me some ­ thing more about Sir Jamsetjee ’s con ­ nection with the Tabak family? She writes, “His first trip to China was as his . cousin Tabak ’s mehta (accounts dare six cities as yatra dhams (pi grim .UL, ____ 1 centers) so that they can be developed cousin but that he was taken in by accordingly with central assistance and Make Udvada yatra dham It was reported in the Press that the central government has decided to de ­ 2 Parsiana November 1998 arowth and clerk)... ” I am not so sure that he was a o _ < cousin — ---- --- Jamsetji Tabak and trained in the trade. centers) so that they can be developed the yatris (pilgrims) provided with all IREADERS’ FORUM OITi’ rUCHA 2®v:' i ® '-0^ 2'*^ «• <>, C A Chinese soothsayer is supposed to have looked into their face.s and proph ­ esied the boy’s brilliant future. DrH.S.ADENWALLA Trichuf ing religion or faith, and they exist in all decent human beings. 1 am referring to integrity and honesty which create the basis for our long-term interpersonal growth. 1 also horn. I refer to service, and to the idea of Hilla Girder eepBes making a contribution to our world. I was always instilled with the principle of potential as I grew and developed my talents. We will do the same for our children and regardless of whether they written in Guj- ' lishedalmostlOO years ago refers ¦ ¦ ¦ 1 refer to fairness, out of which equality and a sense of justice is Ralanii Behramji Madon in his hook Sir Jamsetjee Jejeehhoy. First Parsi Baronet 4 Readers’ views are welcome on any subiect of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers' Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400001. Letters are 8ub|ect to editing for reasons of space and clarity. Unsigned letters or those without an address will not be published. "half Parsis," with these principles arati and piJb- Ihcy will learn the solid foundation for lasting happiness and success, Mr Patel, you also make the analogy to Jamsetjee vis- nfoffspiingfromintermarriagewithlhe mango trees at the Macau cemetery that “bore worthless fruits. Why so? Be ­ cause the seeds had incompatible soil," You question whether one would "al ­ low ’’ a “pedigree Dalmation bitch to be mated with any other dog except a Dalniation and (ihus) sacrifice the pedi ­ gree of the pups." To this I would say Ihai what makes us diflerenl from ani ­ mals and plants is die fundamental prin ciple aboul the nature of man. We have Jainsetjee was an imagination, a sense of self aware- iting Calcutta in 1799 with his pilrai bhai (fa ­ ther ’s brother ’s The Tabak son) Seth Mer- wanji Maneckji Tabak who had been trading with China since 1790. .Taiusetjee's first voyage to China was as Tabak ’s mehta or accounts clerk. Madon writes that one day while ( sitting in Tabak ’s office negotiating asale of opium, a prominent Chinese merchant who had been closely We observinghiin prophesied that Jamsetjee connection “Milestones ” This is in response to a letter from Mr Riisiom D. Patel from Hong Kong (“Milestones," Readers ’ Forum. Par­ siana. June 1998). Like Mr Patel I too live in Hong Kong. I have never met him. but if T ever did. the following is whai 1 would say. In doing so 1 am certain that 1 would echo the feelings ol many interniatried Zoroastrians around (he world. Mr Patel, you question my mental maturity and state that I have a “lack of appreciation of the true Zoroaslriaii ness and a conscience. A conscience thal leaches us right from wrong, f'.'- havc an independent will and lhe ability would later become a prosperous mer- to ael free of intliienecs. These human endowments lift us above the animal world. To what extent we exercise and develop these human rights empowers us to fulfil our human polenlial. If we were to compare ourselves to nature we would he limited to stimulus and re ­ sponse. But we as humans have the unique potential that between stimulus and response wc have the greaicsl power _ ihc freedom to choose. It is with this freedom to choose that we make our choices in life and in love. UNA BALSARA VASVANI Hviig Kong chant himself and that his employer Tabak would become his employee. Later, Tabak suffered great losses in his trade and closed down his business, whereas Jamseijee rose to fame and for­ tune. Madon states that Jamsetjee later sent Tabak. to China as his representa ­ tive. It might also interest Dr Adenwalla 10 know that Sir Iamsetji» ’S son Rus- tomjee married a member of the Tabak -------- jmion (,f iiie true Zornaslrian spirit" for having married anoii-Zoroas- irian. I was brought up in a Zoroastrian spirit, and I was taught principles. These principles are like a lighthouse, they guide you through life. They are natural laws that don't change and cannot be broken. They govern our growth and our happiness. They are not unique tn my religion but arc part of every endiir- “The benevolent Baron •'The benevolent Uaron ” {Parsiana. April ’98) was a nice article. Could the author Hilla P. Guzder tell me some thing more about Sir Jamsetjee ’s con- ncclion with the Tahak family? She writes. "His first trip to China was as his cousin Tahak ’s mchta (accounts clerk)..." I am not so sure that he was a cousin but that he was taken in by Jamselji Tahak and trained in the trade. family. Rustomjee's marriage on Janu ­ ary 14, 1836 10 Soonabai Muncherji Tabak was celebrated with Jamsetjee hosting a splendid hall, with the gover ­ nor Sir Robert Grant and other high officials being among the invitees. The bridegroom was all of 12 years old, the age of the bride is not mentioned! Make Udvada yatra dham It was reported in the Press that the central government has decided to de ­ clare six cities as yatra dhams (pilgrim centers) so that they can be developed accordingly with central assistance and the yatri.s (pilgrims) provided with all 2 Paisiana November >998 KI ¦ i' I B a, hail Board after the completion of develop- Saving sandalwood ment project for the six yatradhams Throughout the world an awareness has namely Dwarka, Somnath, Palitana, emerged to preserve and protect forests, Dakor, Ambaji and Girnar which (were) particularly to protect trees which are declared earlier by the state govern- ecologically vulnerable. In this category merit. ” comes one of the finest and fast disap ­ pearing trees, vulnerable to the avarice Walk to the Hospital of loggers and smugglers, viz. the san- The B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital dalwood tree. is an institution of which every Zoroas ­ trian is justly proud. This institution is a godsend for poor and middle-class Zo­ roastrians who benefit immensely from the excellent medical facilities provided wadi, to the patients by the distinguished panel of medical advisers whose expertise and compares most favorably with the We Zoroastrians burn this scarce and precious wood in large quantities in in ­ numerable fire-temples in India, during religious ceremonies and at the doonger- Udvada: a pilgrim center Keeping our holy fire burning con ­ tinuously is very essential but can we care compares most tavoramy wim me not attain the same purpose by the use of best anywhere in the country and even cheaper wood while offering our prayers abroad. The WZO (World Zoroastrian Orga ­ nisation) Youth Wing fully supported tinuously by the use of comparatively by the main managing committee de- ( _ at the kebla? In any case the fires in all the fire-temples are kept burning con- modern facilities so as to make these pilgrims comfortable enough to attract ----------, — . - - more and more pilgrims there. by the main managing committee de- cheaper kathi wood and only the offer- The six cities are Amritsar, Anandpur cided to make its contribution, however ings from the devotees are made in the Saheb, Ajmer Sharif, Bodh Gaya, miniscule, by creating or rather accentu- form of sandalwood. Hard war and Tirupati. ating the awareness ofthe excellent work Most of our agiaries are clamoring We are followers ofone of the oldest, being done by the Hospital. for donations for the present day high if not the oldest, revealed religion in the To this end, we have organized a cost of upkeep and Wiaintenance. I am world — Zoroastrianism. For every Walkathon on Sunday, December 20, not professing to save in any way the Zoroastrian, wherever he may be living, Udvada has a special place in his heart and the omission by the central govern ­ ment to declare it as a pilgrim center is a letdown for the Parsi community, which has played a significant part in the development of the country. No less than the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Sarosh Bana on Gandhi has acknowledged, “I am proud 3679717 or the un- of my country, India, for having pro­ duced a splendid Zoroastrian stock, in numbers beneath contempt, but in char ­ ity and philanthropy, perhaps unequal ­ led, certainly unsurpassed. ” On June 19, 1998,1 had addressed a letter to the Bombay Parsi Punchayet tai. that as an apex body it should make a forceful representation to the central government to include Udvada as one of the yatra dhams. BH1KHA.II M. ADENWALLA miniscule, by creating or rather accentu ­ ating the awareness of the excellent work being done by the Hospital. To this end, we have organized a Walkathon on Sunday, December 20, 1998 which will terminate in the grounds money that would have been spent on of the Hospital at 10 a.m. Those who wish to take part in this Walkathon and function are re ­ quested to contactMr Rusi Bhumgara on 2012227 or Mr Sarosh Bana dersigned. It is also decided to use this Walka- thon as an occasion to collect maximum funds for the Hospi- The Editor replies As per a clarification issued to Marazban Patrawala, member of the Minorities Commission from P. K. Laheri, addi ­ tional chief secretary, information, broadcasting and tourism. Government of Gujarat, “on revision of the previous government decision regarding declar ­ ing Udvada as a pavitra yatra dhcim the state government has decided that Ud ­ vada will be included as additional yatradham in purview of Yatradham Through this open appeal addressed to each and every Zo- roastrian, we request you to use this occasion to make your maximum contri ­ bution towards this most worthy cause. Cheques/drafts should be issued in the name of World Zoroastrian Trust. The advertisements in the Souvenir to be published to mark this occasion and con- tributions/donations to World Zoroas ­ trian Trust are exempt under 80 G of the offering sandalwood to the holy fire. I suggest that the same amount may be Holy fires consume precious wood kept in a special box provided near the sate of sandalwood specifically for the purpose of upkeep and maintenance of our agiaries and decent sized kathi wood sticks be provided for offering to the kebla. If the sale of sandalwood is one of the perquisites of the panthakies and Income Tax Act. The total proceeds thus mobeds, an agreed percentage of the collected would be donated to the B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital. ROHINTON P. CHINOY, DARA T. MARFATIA Joint Honorary Secretaries, World Zoroastrian Organisation collection may be distributed amongst them as their legitimate earnings. It has been pointed out that the B ombay Parsi Punchayet incurs a yearly loss of about Rs 22 lakhs to maintain the 4 Parsiana November 1998 ¦4 ifc.i maining single. The community needs ProblcmS facing PUFSiS to sit up and take notice of the problem. For divorce cases there is a Parsi Matrimonial Court. What we must have collapse of South Asian countries many hamdins are perturbed about their in ­ vestments, wealth and assets as well. The collapse of various finance compa ­ nies, scams, various unscrupulous pro­ moters of companies have resulted in loss of money (capital) invested in such companies. Low interest rates on depos ­ its faced by retired persons and senior citizens are continuous sources of ten ­ sion and anxieties in the ever rising cost of living. Hamdins need to be educated. cal check-up center and a strong and genuine matrimonial court. Great re ­ delegates to the Matrimonial Court, but recently we have noticed from newspa- doongerwadi. At the same time, we are informed that for funeral rites for four days at the doongerwadi as much as Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500 are spent only on the purchase of sandalwood. Assuming that is a premarital counselling center, medi ­ about 1,000 funerals yearly are taking place at the doongerwadi, a whopping saving of Rs 12 to 15 lakhs can be sponsibility rests on the shoulders of the achieved which could be used to main ­ tain the doongerwadi if facilities to sup ­ ply adequate and cheap kathi wood are per reports that most of the delegates are made. not taking matters seriously. We must The Avesta mentions many different select dedicated persons for this delicate types of wood besides sandalwood which matter. are suitable for offering to the fire. Hence it should be our duty to conserve sandalwood which is fast depleting couples married among their cousins, and also becoming expensive and diffi ­ cult to procure when alternate kathi wood is available in plenty and at cheaper ibility. There seems to be a fallacy that rates. It is very essential that we, as an educated and enlightened community, consider some changes in many of our present day rituals in keeping with the expected changes in the coming millen ­ nium. Dr M. D. DISAWALLA Bangalore Allow me to enumerate the problems facing the Parsi community. After the It has been observed over the years that there are less cases of divorce among guided and protected; not exploited or robbed by selfish brokers and individu ­ als. Also, they need to be guided and informed to sell and book profits when ­ ever possible and place money in fixed deposits with nationalized banks only where their capital is not likely to be close relatives and also among neigh ­ bors. This may be due to better compat- wedlock between cousins and close rela ­ tives result in deformed children. How far it is true can only be confirmed by depreciated, experts but one point is certain that marriages among close relatives take Many middle-class families are ru ­ ined by unexpected and untimely illness in the family, hospitalization, etc, and if they are not covered by medicare they are placed in a difficult financial posi­ tion. Marriage and navjote ceremonies are performed with pomp resultirtg in waste of money. Ask hamdins one straight question — “After how many years will you be able to save that money which you have lavishly thrown away for four- five hours ’ pomp and show? ” Other communities follow mass marriages but unfortunately Parsis have ignored this. The craze for getting their children admitted in convent schools has consid ­ erably increased even when they have to pay high fees in such schools than that demanded by Parsi schools. Many big personalities who are educated from Parsi schools are ashamed to divulge their past education iirParsi schools. Change of food habits is more impor ­ tant in these trying days. Consumption Vanishing vultures The Parsi custom of disposing the dead in dokhmas is to expose the body to the sun and to the flesh eating birds. But now, as many dokhmas are in over- populated industrial areas, chemically polluted, vultures come rarely. We read in Dr Sir Jivanji Modi ’s book The Religious Ceremonies And Customs of the Parsees, page 69, “The Zoroastrian religion strictly enjoins that dead bodies should not be buried in the ground, or burnt or thrown into seas, rivers, etc. ” In view of the present bird problem in dokhmas and the statement of the great Parsi author, what is to be adopted? Presumably, we can utilize some solar technique (wherein no elec ­ tricity is consumed) at the towers. Our learned high priests and other respected place in all communities around the of vegetables, spinach of different vari- figures may kindly oblige us with their world and you will be surprised to know eties is necessary for health and growth, authoritative views. that among South Indians, the marriage Consumption of breads should be sub- TEHMAS p. COMMISSARIAT of aman with his sister ’s daughter is not stituted by wheat rotis. During lunch Ahmedabad Only common but also encouraged. and dinner, salads (radish, onions, cu- world and you will be surprised to know that among South Indians, the marriage of aman with his sister ’s daughter is not only common but also encouraged. In case there is already a counselling cumber, beetroots, carrots, etc) should center in operation by the Punchayet, it be eaten as they provide nutrition, vita- should be made active and popular. If mins, calcium and other necessities for good health, which are otherwise de- Premarital counselling At the recent Anjuman Committee meet ­ ing held by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, possible, checking of blood groups community members had expressed their should be made compulsory. We have stroyed in cooked food. deep concern regarding the growing enough resources and talent in the com- Change of climate is more important number of divorce cases. Also there is a problem of mixed marriages, late mar- port and help the youth. riages and eligible girls and boys re- dali j . gundevia enough resources and talent in the com ­ munity and I am sure they will all sup- for healthy growth and healthy life. We should be away for some time from the city, take fresh air and drink well water. 6 Parsiana November 1998r fro„,„f,KeeyebalUf.h,s.ayeriseHher candle die out wi,h ent parts of India for the good and wel ­ fare of the community. you, use it to light someone else ’s life. Donate your eyes and you shall live on forever in the shattered (by accident) or is opaque (due to sickness or at childbirth) it renders the __________ P^son blind. The remedy is simple. The hearts and minds of those you have RUSTOM A. KOTWAL shattered cornea is surgically removed helped. Pledge your eyes We write this letter to you in a bid to spread awareness about the plight of the visually handicapped in India. There are at present more than three million corneally blind people in India, out of which 60 percent are under 12 years of age. It is sad to think that none ____ __ ______ _ of them will ever get a chance to see this donate eyes due to the effort^ of the beautiful world unless someone helps Buddhist monks. In Europe and USA, it Byculla,Bombay 400027 Teh 3741345 them to regain their eyesight through is legal to remove eyes from persons donations. But due to an acute lack of who have died in hospitals even without eye donations only one percent of them the permission of the relatives. In fact a actually regain their sight. tiny country like Sri Lanka has a sur- All persons irrespective of age, or religion can donate their eyes. Eye India and other countries, free of cost to donation in no way disfigures the face of help the blind. Why can ’t we in India the deceased and is permitted by all religions. Your eyes can restore the sight of two other people. The procedure of eye removal must be done within four to five hours of and replaced by a good cornea, obtained from a dead person. However, due to lack of awareness and ignorance of the procedure, out of 1,50,000 people who died in Bombay in 1996, the sight of a mere 1,000 people could be restored. You would be surprised to know that in Sri Lanka, it is a social obligation to ¦; sex Mission for Vision is a project under ­ taken by The Rotaract Club of Bombay Hills South. Through this project we are trying to create mass awareness about eye donations. Please help someone see this beautiful world. If you are interested in pledging your eyes for donation, please contact; Eye Bank Co-Ordination And Research Cen ­ tre, Masina Hospital, Sant Savta Marg, 72. For further information please con ­ tact the undersigned at 16/1, Pushpa Vihar, 3rd floor, Colaba P. O., Bombay 400005, Tel: 2152826. NISHA VANVARI, NEHA THARANI Rotaract Club of Bombay Hills South with a population of over 900 million Aids fOF the blind restore the sight of our visually handi ­ capped? The Parsis have always been known impaired in India by creating an aware- is legal to remove eyes from persons the permission of the relatives. In fact tiny country like Sri Lanka has plus of corneas which they export to for their generosity and charity to the death. The procedure itself takes about needy. We would sincerely request all QH tr\ /in —] ?___ I . , . - T 30 to 40 minutes and involves removal of the cornea, the transparent layer in readers to pledge their eyes and change other people ’s lives. Don ’t let your May we request you to assist us in our efforts to help the blind and visually ness of the latest technology aids in the - world for the benefit and interest of the blind population of our country? The first ever international exhibi- 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 PS AB 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 1 Parsiana November 1998GLOBE THEATRES Pvt Ltd Established April 3, 1915 Pioneers of Show Business in India for the last 82 years We rededicate ourselves to the ideals we have cherished and practised all along -- namely to show NOTHING BUT THE BEST to our ever increasing number of Patrons Controlling: REGAL BOMBAY CAPITOL BOMBAY GLOBE CALCUTTA All the above Cinemas have now been equipped with nn|potfly STEREO I Sound System tion on Assistive Devices for the Dis­ abled organized by the ministry of wel ­ fare renamed the ministry of social jus ­ tice and empowerment, New Delhi in September 1998 displayed new tech ­ nology products such as the Galileo text reading machine: a combination of the computer and text reader with clear En ­ glish accent. It reads all sorts of printed text, books, magazines and text or docu ­ ment files stored on floppy disks, stores 20,000 pages of scanned text, transfers the same to a floppy or records it into an audio-cassette. It has the ability to read multiple languages and Indian languages can also be introduced along with En ­ glish as soon as the Indian language software is developed. If these machines were installed in blind schools, colleges, universities, public libraries it would have a long-term and far-reaching ben ­ efit to the blind population of our coun ­ try. Aria Braille operated portable talk ­ ing computer: It is the size of a video cassette and has features like word-pro ­ cessing, note-taking, clock and calen ­ dar, diary, telephone directory (with tone dialler), etc. Mountbatten Electronic Brailler: an ideal solution for integrated education system for blind children. It converts braille to print when attached to a stan ­ dard printer and print to braille when attached to a personal computer. The student will now be able to type his exam papers in braille and take a normal text printout so that his resource teacher who generally would not know braille can assess him along with the others in the class and also prepare braille copies of the question papers. Index 4x4 PRO: The high speed and ease of binding makes braille text books available on command. A 100-page braille text book will be ready (em ­ bossed, stapled, folded and ready to go) in less than 20 minutes. Now blind schools can acquire these machines and have their own braille production facil ­ ity to circumvent their long and tedious process of arranging for braille text books for the students. For more information you can write to: Indian Association for the Visually Handicapped, Pradhan Building, 132, S. V. P. Road, Dongri, Bombay 400009, Tel: 3715675. k. Ramakrishna Chairman, Indian Association for the Visually Handicapped With best wishes from Farah & Tanya Eilited by Parinaz M. Gandhi 8 Parsiana November 1998 » IEvents and Personalities ZEND news discoverer “To fulfil a long awaited need of its members, ” the Shrec Parsi Panchayat, Vadodara launched the first issue of its four-page bilingual newsletter ZEND in August 1998. As explained by the presi ­ dent of the Panchayat, Shavak Patel, “In the initial stage it will be a free quarterly issue...(which) will keep the members informed of the vari- ou.s news and activities of the panchayats. ” “The need has long been felt for something to entertain and enlighten our thoughts, and we are emboldened by the initiative taken by Dara Hakim and his co- trustees of the Vadodara Parsi Panchayat for conceiving this idea of a house magazine, ” ac ­ knowledged the editor Pesi Mun- H cheiji in his introduction. '"ZEND will present its views and opin ­ ions not only straight from the shoulder but also from a slightly adjacent angle, viz straight Irom the head, ” wrote the hackfrroiiiid Photo: Arnavaz S. Mama editor promising to hand out both bou ­ quets and brickbats, when due. Working with Muncherji on the edi ­ torial board are Hakim as coordinator, Yasmin Wadia as sub editor, Gujarati, Hutoxi Daruwala a,s sub editor, English, and Urvakshi Katpitia as copywriter. In each issue they propose to have a guest writer — an intellectual who specialize.s in his or her own field. Humor, women ’s page and religious knowledge will also form the staple fare of the newsletter which welcomes new ideas and con ­ tributors. The newsletter titled ZEND, taken from the words Zend-Avesta, was the suggestion of 16-year-old Kurush Pat ­ rawala who wa.s one of the 26 who Visiting the KRCOI responded to the Panchayat ’.s circular With K. R. Gama Oriental Institute ’s inviting suggestions for a name and won (KRCOI) trustee secretary Hotnai Mo- a prize of Rs 500. To Patrawala, ZEND i.s the acronym for Zoroastrian Educa ­ tional News Discoverer. The first issue featured 93-year-old Goolbanu Wadia, the oldest Parsi lady in Baroda, on the guest page. Besides this distinction, she is known for her multifariou.s commitments. She contin- *c HF* r Janie'ie and Tahesli sif’ninf' the visitors ’ hook. Modi in the Lies to be the head of the Mediwala Scholarship Trust, was trustee of the Panchayat for 29 years including 14 years as its president, was founder of a working committee of Baroda Parsi Ladies, and a keen sportswoman win ­ ning prizes in badminton and bridge. Information regarding Panchayat ac- tivitie.s in the form of disbursements, the constitutioiTof the social and enter ­ tainment committee, the functions or­ ganized by them were the other items reported in English. New.s of navjotes, wedding.s and deaths in the community were reported in Gujarati. di ’.s exposure to Iranian officialdom as the Indian liaison of the Sixth World Zoroastrian Congress held in Tehran, Iran, the Institute has become a de rigeur port of call for cultural emissarie.s from that country. “You are the guardians of the Per ­ sian language and culture in this coun- try. You are very famou.s in the country and the community for your liberality... yt is) an honor for us because you are of Iranian descent, ” Iran ’s deputy minis- ter of cultural affairs and 4s- lamic guidance, Ahmad Masjid Jame ’ie said to KRCOI trustee Dastur (Dr) Kaikhusroo Ja- maspAsa and Modi. Jame ’ie, who i.s concurrently advisor to the Iranian president Ali Khatami on youth affairs, wa.s on a courtesy call to the Institute on September 24, 1998. He was accompanied by Ali RezaTabesh, director-general of the ministry of cul ­ ture and Islamic guidance and E.Palizdar, director of the Culture House of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Bombay. Discussing ways of preserVthg books and publications and of restoring paint ­ ings in books and manuscripts, Jame ’ie said they were ready to print a cata ­ logue of KRCOI books and manuscripts in Iran. Noting the existence of a sig ­ nificant number of Persian manuscripts in the subcontinent, Jame ’ie suggested microfilming some of the treasures at the KRCOI. He also offered to send a set of books pertaining to Firdausi, mainly in Persian, some of which have been translated, as well as catalogues of all books published in Iran, especially those pertaining to the Zoroastrian reli ­ gion. He sought the Institute ’s coopera ­ tion in securing similar publications for the Iranian libraries. 9 Parsiana November 1998 IA book entitled Behdins of Yazd was published in Iran last year. Already in sevei al editions, the publication received the President ’s award, Jame ’ie noted, adding that Khatami hails from Yazd. Among those invited to meet the Ira ­ nians were Zoroastrian scholar Dr Homi Dhalla, SNDT University dean Dr Mani Kamerkar (whose recent articles in Parsiana, “Iranian influence, ” June-Sep ­ tember 1997, have been translated into Persian as per Palizdar), St Xavier ’.s College professor of Islamic Studie,s Dr Zeenat Shaukatali, Ervad (Dr) Rooyintan Peer and Ervad Pervez Bajan. In answer to a query from Dhalla the Iranians in ­ formed that Avesta-Pahlavi was beiim * t/VI 11^ taught at Tehran University in its de ­ partment of ancient languages. Arnavaz S. Mania The worthy teacher For outstanding service to the cause of education, KhorshedManeck Bharucha, principal of the J. B. VachhaHigh School held intensive revision classes for stu ­ dents of standard X free of cost. Parsi student.s have benefitted from her career guidance seminar and involvement with the Holiday Programme for Youth cording to the press release. With 25 years of teaching experi ­ ence, Bharucha serves on the Education Advisory Committee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, on the Co-Curriculum Activity Committee under the chair ­ manship of the deputy director of Sec ­ ondary Education and is district com ­ missioner of the Maharashtra state ’s Bharat Scouts and Guides. Nagpur born Bharucha graduated in science from Francis De Sales College, Nagpi which she obtained her BEd and MEd degree.s from the Bombay University. , ac- ui alter Nicholson (below): pursuing art In an interview with the Afternoon Des­ patch and Courier,17, 1998, Bhaiucha said, “Teaehing is not a pro- foi Parsi Girls and The Cawasjee Jehangir Primary and Infant School was presented the National Award for the Best Teacher 1997 at the hands of the President of India, K. R. Narayanan on Teachers ’ Day, September 5, 1998. Her responsibilities at the J. B.Vachha notwithstanding, Bharucha has devoted time to other educational activities like organizing a workshop for the heads of secondary English medium schools of north zone on provision of rules, an ­ other for supervisors of primary depart- ment.s on conducting scholaiship examination, for primary tession you can just drift into. You must be fully committed, and i------ tantly, love children...A teacher has great influence on lhe child. If the teacher himself ha,s high values, discipline, cre ­ ativity, the child will automatically try more impor- • — — a 1 1 wS tl to be like him or her... ” In addition to the recent award from the ministry of human resource and de ­ velopment, department of education. New Delhi, Bharucha is also the recipi ­ ent of the Best Teacher Award from the National Welfare Teachers Foundation in 1994, according to her curriculum vitae. colors, sculpture, drawings and graph ­ ics,” notes an article by Ranjit Hoskote in The Times of India, Sept 13, 1998. Here, “Vivan Sundaram rubs shoul ­ ders with Anjolie Ela Menon and Gieve Patel .. .Ganesh Pyne shares the stage with Shiavax Chavda and Jehangir Sabavala while JaiiSni Roy’s creations dance maddeningly in synapsis wifh Tyeb Mehta ’s works, ” relates Ihc review in the Afternoon Despatch andCourier(ADC), September 19,1998. “Sculptors ranging from Piloo Poch- khanawallaandAdiDavierwallato Nagji Patel and B. Vithal find inclusion here, and if any single artist is represented in the fullness of his chronological evolu- middle school TVeasure trove of art tailllL ”’ ” ss-c = ssa igssE patron he became. Unbelievable as it may sound, “I am not the stockholder of un-accounted money, ” reported Nicholson who has adhered to his early resolve of not paying for any painting in cash if the price exceeds Rs 1,000. Firmly of the view that art has “no borders, only edges, ” in a 96-page hard bound publication in conjunction with the exhibition titled The Jehangir Nicholson Collection —Selected Works he clarifies, “To acquire good art has been my desire, no matter the mistakes that have been made... Mine is a collec ­ tion... that tries to cover the 50 years — tv ‘ o I never think ol these paintings as in ­ vestments. They are like iny children, ” . . “•’¦5 vz I • I u/njr IIV/111 .^mmars on how to September I I to October 25, 1998. A --------------- „..J Collector s'Eye, a.s the exhibition at the SirCowasJi JehangirHall wa.s named, Nicholson ’s trove is considered “one ol the finest private col ­ lections of post-colonial art in India (holding) work,s by masters belon^ ing to several generations and stretche.s across a gamut of media, includ ­ ing oil paintings, water Rharucha (right) receiving award from Narayanan 10 Parsiana November 1998 ig- \with works of art and par- .1 Rs 10,000 that he had instituted in her I memory to recognize scholarship, ac ­ complishment and character in a gradu ­ ating fashion design student ofthe Bom ­ bay chapter of the National Institute of I Fashion Technology. Khambatta had I always been keen to expose the work of " these students, revealed Chowdhury. Just as she was excited about this event she was thrilled that only a few days earlier she had received by mail a rosary which the Archbishop of Bombay said he had had blessed by the Pope at her behest. Although proud of her Zoro­ astrian religion and heritage, of late she had found solace in the Christian Sci­ ence philosophy. As recalled Castelino, "She loved life and in spite of all the glamor and glitz of Holly wood surround ­ ing her she was a simple Parsi girl, very religious and down to earth... But every time she came to India she phoned and chatted...! ’11 miss that voice saying, ‘Okay, honey, take care. ’” Religious reverence She was hard working, sensitive but Prayer books in memory of their dear I 1948-98 ticularly artists who count in the art world with works... considered as mu ­ seum quality. ” Seventy-four pages of this compen ­ dium printed at Tata Donnelley bear the imprint ofthe different artists Nicholson has admired followed by short biographi ­ cal sketches of 46 artists. As comments Hoskote in the book, a good collection “acks as a nucleus of vision, as a space in which we may reflect on the aspirations, the hopes, the experiments of our art ­ ists... Significantly , Nicholson has never treated his collection as a private de ­ mesne; he has made every effort to share it with the public... ” “It ’s my heart ’s desire that my col ­ lection should be inherited by the city, ” the former sheriffofBombay was quoted off), Nif^ht Hawks, she enjoys the dis ­ in the ADC. “I want the Maharashtra ........................... ' government to help me to find a suffi ­ ciently large space — 2,000 to 3,000 sq yards — to give the city a beautilul and hopefully a very well managed mu ­ seum...to house not just my own collec ­ tion but those of others whom the mu ­ seum can acquire. ” A chartered accountant by trainin; “taxation vigilante and gadfly to the makers of economic policy, ” in Hos­ kote ’s words, 83-year-old Nicholson says, “Every decade after the age of 60 is a period of grace for which you must be grateful. And if I’m in a hurry to get things done, it ’s because I’m in my third period of grace. ” Driving fast cars is yet another mode that helps Nicholson stay ahead of his peers. Generously endowed “Always affectionate, thankful, lavish with her gifts, loving, very sensitive when anyone said anything about her, kind, considerate, jolly, naughty, but at all times a child at heart. ” This descrip ­ tion by former Miss India Meher Mistry (Castelino) sums up the nature of super ­ model, Hollywood star and the succes ­ sor to her Miss India title Persis Khambatta who succumbed to a heart attack on August 18, 1998 at a hospital in Bombay at the age of 49. “Fiery , glamorous, opinionated, trail ­ blazer, doyenne, a woman of many firsts i.s how one would describe the quintes ­ sential Khambatta, ” wrote Ranjit Rodricks in The Times of India of Au ­ gust 21. Besides starring in movies like The Wilhy Conspiracy, Star TreZ: (which not proceed a.s won her worldwide acclaim lor her bald pate after her long tresses were shaved ¦ * Khanibatta: a woman of many firsts 12 Parsiana November 1998 « 'g ’ tinction of being the first Indian topresent an Academy Award in 1982 and featur ­ ing in Blackwell ’s Best Dressed list that same year. “She was one of the most punctual and professional models to deal with. Sue was liaiu wviMiis;, VK. ------- Jy - vulnerable. She had a great rapport with departed are a fitting way to keep alive everyone in the industry, ” acknowledged the religious priorities and commitments Shanti Chopra who had done the Derby of noteworthy souls. Two such works to Fashion show with her last year. be released in 1998 are Asha Vahishta in More than fame and fortune, values English compiled by Narges Nowrooz and principles mattered to Khambatta as conveyed in an interview with Parsiana (“Beauty and the Book, ’ Feb ­ ruary-March 1998). Having chosen to settle in India in the 1990s, her last major accomplishment was authoring the book Pride of India featuring the success stories of former Miss Indias. She was even contemplating doing a TV show based on this concept. Ac­ cording to Farzana and Behram Con- | tractor of the Afternoon Despatch and I Courier. “We loved the fact that she I was so straightforward and candid. She I was a real doer and she completed her I book all on her own in a year. ” | Shortly before her demise she ap- j pcared in Khushwant Singh ’s serial Not a Nice Man to Know on Star Plus, which was aired on the eve of India ’s Indepen- I dcncc day. As honorary member of the Rotary Club ol Bombay Queen City she wa.s to introduce her close associate Sanjeev Chowdhury, the vice consul and assistant trade commissioner, con ­ sulate of Canada, as guest speaker on everyone in the industry, ” acknowledged Minochehr-Homji and dedicated to Pirojbai and Dinshahji Minochehr- Homji, Meherbanoo and Sohrab Bamji, Merwanji M. Cama, Sohrab J. Bulsara and Dr Irach J. S. Taraporevala, and ? ¦¦ Minochehr-Homji: value the text Au kyko aisa karta hai? Ajiko paisa chaiye, to hum tuniko paisa dega. Par aisa mat karo, mera nankar ko niiksan hota hai. (Look here, why you doing this? If it ’.s money you arc after. I’ll give it to you. But do not harm my servant.) ’ But a.s I proceeded to open my closet to take out the money, the police arrived, having been summoned by my neighbors who were alerted by my maid servant ’.s son who lives in the •• flat. ” As reported in Blitz, September 19, Dubash had dismissed a domestic from service just fourmonths earlier and whilst leaving, this woman had threatened to have him beaten up one day. For Dubash who had been working While Dubash was able to fob off his attackers, 82-year-old Dr Jehangir Fe- rozshah Vajifdar apparently could not. He was found brutally murdered on Oc­ tober 26, in hi.s first floor apartment at Awabai Mansion, Henry Road, Off Colaba Causeway. The doctor who stayed alone had been stabbed seven times in the neck and chest region, re ­ ported the Express Newsline of October 27. - The cardiologist was last Hk seen driving away to visit a patient at around 9.30 p.m. on Sunday, October 25. But his body was discovered only the next morning when one of his patients frantically try- ing to reach him, telephoned the doctor ’s neighbor, Farida Dubash to convey the mes- sage. When she reached there around 9 a.m. she found the door to his apartment open and his body lying in the passage^jin a pool of con ­ gealed blood. The police suspect the building ’s two on his unfinished bookzlnzzno/Ggy' since watchmen who aremissingfrom the scene 5 a.m. this rude interruption made him comment, “The future of this country seems to be bleak a.s the youth are being misguided under the corrupt influence Expres.s Newsline. They believe the stab- of television and films. ” A graduate in bing must have been around 11 p.m. automobile engineering from the Chrys ­ ler Engineering Institute, USA, Dubash wa.s described a.s “a devout Parsi and a $ I b I Diihaxli (ri^lit) receiving award with their uniforms and a blood-stained knife found in a ditch at the far end of the road to be behind the crime, according to ¦4' * tion of religion." explaining the simi ­ larities between Hinduism and Zoroas ­ trianism in three volumes. As per the Blitz write-up. Dubash i.s credited with having disbursed almost Rs 1.55 crore to the clergy from his family charities. In recognition of their exemplary Since he had neither changed his clothes or shoes, the police believe the watchmen must have followed Vajifdar to his flat and killed him. The house was ransacked and a wristwatch worn by Vajifdar was missing, mentioned The Times of India write-up. “He had a wide range of clients — from maharaja to the poorest of the poor,” said his close associate Vispy Unwalla, a share broker, and is believed to have done 50 percent of his work for free. “He was one of the last of the Mohicans, one of the few who really observed the Hippocratic oath, even if it meant making late night calls, ” senior counsel Pali Nariman ’s statement on 16 Parsiana November 1998 arc licitated Dubash, his domestics and his neighbors, the Damanias (who had sum ­ moned the police) at a simple function held at the conference hall of the office ol the commissioner of police on Sep ­ tember 12. As commented columnist Vajifdar was quoted in The Times of Shobha De in “De-Time, ” “But what of those who do not posse.s Mr Dubash ’.s training, skill and courage?... The most College and the KEM Medical College, vulnerable ol our citizens — the aged Vajifdar had qualified as a Fellow of the will kick themselves lor not having taken College of Physicians and Surgeons and jiujitsLi lesson.s during their youth. Nariman Dubash is a hero today. But he could as easily have been a dead man last week. ” India of October 28. A graduate from the Elphinstone had apprenticed with Dr M. Gilder be ­ fore he set up his independent practice. Compiled by Parinaz M. Gandhi *ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD How a charity is run Accountant Pesh Framjee says that charitable organizations must adopt modern management practices Shernaaz Engineer 99 Pesh Framjee, a partner in Arthur the Sydenham College, he joined the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which he recalls as being some sort of ‘one man and his dog organization ’ in those days. “And I was the dog! ” Valiantly, he held fort, went to game exams, ” Framjee recalls with a smile, “I was much more keen on sports like karate, boxing and rugby. ” He did have a fine brain for accoun ­ tancy though. When he qualified in 1983 and wanted to get back to India, he kept finding that, his firm had some interesting assignments for him elsewhere. They sent him over- seas to audit the accounts of charities like Save the Children r Fund and to produce reports IHjlllll for government. He enjoyed visiting places generally con- sidered far-flung and back-of- beyond by the rest of his col- leagues. “My clients, liked us- ing me for such assignments because I did not get sick. Eat- ing food on the streets of Bombay meant that I had cast iron guts and could take it all, ” Framjee chuckles in recollec- tion of the early days. On one such assignment when he went to Sudan during the famine, he was very moved. “I had seen poverty in India all my life, but this really shook me. I began to change my per- spective on life as I saw chil- dren dying before my eyes. ” So Framjee ’s involvement with chari ­ ties on a more personal level began. Currently, he is trustee and treasurer of sanctuaries, got involved with Project the ASHA Foundation, a charity founded Andersen, is one of England ’s top char ­ ity accountants. He believes that a char ­ ity organization needs to be run like a business — with expertise and skill. Considering the UK charity sector erates income of over £ 18 billion, this is not surprising. Framjee says: “It is not just altruism that keeps a charity going. You need to monitor costs properly. This means that charities must adopt modern management practices that add value. At the same time you don ’t have to be obsessed with saving every penny. A lot of charities are very concerned about their administrative costs. But, at lhe end of the day, I believe that the outcome and impact of a charity is more important than its administra ­ tive costs. ” This unusual approach to charities management may sound a little unconventional to people in India. For years most of us have believed that charities are to be run by re ­ tired folk who are expected to work for very little, or nothing. The compensation for charity work is supposed to be the sheer pleasure that full career option the involvement with a noble cause brings. ; ' Inthe West this concept changed. “In Tiger, did leopard studies, kept snakes by Indo-British author and activist the UK, Framjee explains, “working and monkeys as pets. Till a point when Zerbanoo Gifford, that is fund-raising in for charities can pay well, although it is it all got too much for those around him. Britain for India ’s street children at the still lower than a corporate job. None- The better wisdom of family elders moment. The ASHA Foundation par- theless, for those who are interested it is ordained that he could not go through took of a television charity appeal on a full career option, unlike India where life with a backpack and a machete. He Channel Five in September last year, working for a charity is not considered had to get on with a serious career. after being chosen as the only non-Brit- much of a career option for a young So Framjee was sent to England to do ish cause because of the integrity and person. his chartered accountancy, much to the commitment of its trustees. Framjee got into the charity sector amusement ofhis friends who promised Apart from this, Framjee is connected quite by chance. As a young lad, born him he would not get through. “In school with several other charities as well. On and bled in Bombay, he had other ideas, and college I had managed to study as several occasions he has been appointed After getting his commerce degree from ' ' ' ................... gen- II gi •H' 18 Parsiana November 1998 Framjee: working for charities is a and monkeys as pets. Till a point when it all got too much for those around him. The better wisdom of family elders ordained that he could not go through life with a backpack and a machete. He had to get on with a serious career. So Framjee was sent to England to do his chartered accountancy, much to the amusement of hi.s friends who promised him he would not get through. “In school and college I had managed to study as little as possible to bluff my way through by the charity commissioner in the UK » I IL- Courtesy Mr Jamshed Guzder Advertisement 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 REPORT OF LECTURES, CON­ FERENCES, &AWARDSFUNCTIONS EUROPE TOUR OF APRIL - MAY 1998 - ENGLAND, FRANCE, SWIT­ ZERLAND, BELGIUM, GERM ANY, AUSTRIA,POLAND (27) Wednesday 27th May was a relaxed day for Dame Meher in Hannover with dear friend and trusted Zoroastrian College supporter Marianna Luder who has steadfastly helped with the work of the College in Germany. A visit to the Clinic in Hannover of Prof. Siegfried and Dr. Lisa Hermerding was exceptionally helpful for Dame Meher to be initiated into the use of the Tachyon White Light Energy. Dr. Hermerding graciously donated a set of this precious equipment for the use of the Zoroastrian College in India. In the evening a two hours Seminar had been arranged for the Ars Regia Members at which Dame Meher was invited to speak on the Ancient Mazday asnie Zarathustrian Daena and Prof. Siegfried and Frau Eva Raub showed her videos of the work done in the recently discovered Cultic places in Portugal . The Members of the Group came to see Dame Meher off around 11 p.m.for the overnight journey from Hannover to Warsaw viaBerlin. Once again the parting with such dear and good friends brought such sadness mingled with the sense of contentment of good friendships. POLAND (28) The overnight train journey on the German Express train from Koln via Hannover, Berlin, Warsaw, to Moscow, was comfortable with the train guard bend ­ ing over backwards to be helpful over Dame Meher ’s luggage. By early morn ­ ing, the train reached Warsaw where His Excellency the Indian Ambassador had thoughtfully arranged for the Embassy Car and Staff Member to meet her at the station in Warsaw to take her to the best hotel in the City the Forum Hotel. THE POLISHACADEMY OFMEDICBslEwas founded by Prof. Dr. Kazimierz Imielienski ten years ago in Warsaw. As part of its 10th Anniversary Celebrations, the Academy had organised a very pres ­ tigious Awards and Conference Function at the Castle of the King in Warsaw . The Academy was conferring its most presti ­ gious International Award, — THE IN­ TERNATIONAL GOLDEN STAR MERITFORHUMANISMon 16 selected distinguished persons from all over the World among whom 8 were Noble Prize Winners. The only person from Asia on whom this Award is conferred was Zoro­ astrian College President Dame Meher. The Academy is interested to introduce the Ancient Indian Natural Herbal Medi ­ cine Systems and Drugless Therapy Meth ­ ods into Poland and ||||||¦| Eastern European countries. At this Function, the Ambas- sadors for India and ¦¦ Russia, 45 distin- fl guished doctors from Medical Universities and Colleges in Po- fl land and 35 Interna- 9 tionally renowned 9 Scientists and doctors ¦ from Russia, Ukraine. Moldavia, .. Byelorussia, Bui- ¦ garia, Latvia, Arme ­ nia, Slovakia, Ruma- I nia, Khazakhstan. I Uzbekistan. I Tajikistan, EastEuro- pean and former I U.S.S.R. countries | only were invited to I this glittering gather- I ing. Only 5 persons 1 from outside the Old | Bloc countries were I invited - 3 from South I America and one from I U.S.A. Dame Meher I was the only one from I Asia. This ceremony I was held on Friday I I 29th May morning. Poland is famous for Chopin Piano Music. The refined atmo ­ sphere in the Hall of the Castle of the King was punctuated with musical piano inter ­ ludes between speeches and conferment of Awards. There was a formal luncheon after the function ; and thereafter a Confer ­ ence of Heads of Medical Colleges and Universities to discuss existing Medical Educational problems and future Course developments. It was an eye opener to realise how limited were the Alternatives and options for Health Care in the former Soviet Bloc of counties. Much need to be done to open up integrated medicin.es system for the public benefit. This will i % 1 A Above ;Awards Function at Poland Castle of the King on 29th May 1998. Lower :With Dr. Prof. Victor mH Inyushinand ** L' . Madame Lydia I Inyushinof I Khazakhstan in j Bombay. I1 ttL Courtesy Mr Jamshed Guzder Advertisement also save the Governments of the various countries quite sizable amounts in Public Health Care expenditure from the- National Exchequers. The program for the day concluded with a formal dinner at the Forum Hotel, one of the best in Warsaw. (29) Finding Thursday 28th May a free day Dame Meher explored Warsaw and discovered in the old City the main source of genuine Amber in the World. There are very few places on the Earth which are a source of real Amber. One of them is the Baltic Sea Coast. The small sea-side towns of Gdansk and others for centuries have the Amber factories. At certain seasons, the sea washes ashore bits and fragments of Amber - fossilised gum from under water forests. These could be the forests of Atlantis, with the Gulf Stream carrying the bits across the Atlantic Ocean and washing them ashore in the Baltic Sea Coast. Finland, Latvia, Poland, the Baltic countries thus have this precious natural resource. Beach combers pick up the bits and pieces of pale white, creamish and light honey colour amber, which are taken to the factories for melting down; and moulding into beads, broaches, cuff links; and in the time of the Czar of Russia, the Anny Officers Uniform buttons were also made of Amber. This precious Amber appears to be one of the main exports and dollar earner for Poland; and Warsaw was full of American tourists . as well as Western European tourists celebrating May week French-Polish Festival. Amber is very expensive even in its source in the factories in Gdansk with tiny pieces fetching high prices of over fifty pounds sterling and large pieces carved and moulded fetching fortunes. (30) Music flows through the veins of the Polish people. Opera abounds in Warsaw and other cities; and of course the famous Polish Composer Chopin ’s music is to be heard everywhere. On 30th evening Dame Meher attended the Chopin Piano Music Concert in the Palace Gardens Concert Hall where the Pianist was an accomplished young lady. There is great potential for development of Indo-Polish ties now that Poland has opted to become a Member of the European Union. 30th May Dame Meher availed of the Express 28 hours Coach services linking Warsaw to Victoria Terminus in London; and after a not too stormy Channel crossing, she reached London on 31st May evening. ENGLAND (31) The last week in England was a round of farewell visits to family and friends. The gracious hospitality of Persis and Keki, Karl and Darwin Singporewalla and other mem ­ bers of the family of Rusi Singporewalla, Hutokshi and Kashmira, was unforgettable. Visits to Jehan and Rukh- shana Master, Jamsheed and Darius, Heidi Ram and Joyce Bastian and especially Mr. & Mrs. Shahrokh and Simin Shahrokh for Zoroastrian College development were most helpful. There is much that the Zoroastrian Community in London can benefit from the work of the Zoroastrian College in Europe through its activities of the Avesta and Scriptual Studies Department and the Research Library which has one of the finest collections of several thousands of books as well as Audio and Video Cassettes which can be used anywhere in the English speaking World. Dame Meher re-turned to Bombay by 10th June to receive the famous Khazakh Scien ­ tist Prof. Dr. Vistor Inyushin in India, as guests of the Zoroastrian College for a Global Co-operation project of purification of polluted waters of rivers lakes. This technol ­ ogy would be great boon to Indian villagers. to turn around charities in distress. “It is fascinating to see how a charity is run, ” he says, “it is quite complex really. Our service takes a holistic approach; most charities are concerned about how best they can use their resources to achieve their goals and vision. So we work with them on areas such as management techniques, strategies, performance reviews, risk management, financial controls and advise on how to get best results. ” “The Red Cross with total annual income of about £ 90 million, ” he explains, “is spending as much as six million to restructure and upgrade its systems and working practices over the next year. In the UK many processes are being re ­ engineered. Volunteer work no longer means amateur effort. A great deal of professionalism and skill is found in the voluntary sector, while at the same time the empathy and ethos of a charitable organization is being retained. ” Framjee has quite a nice definition for a charitable organization. It must encompass the three Es: Empathy, Enthusiasm and Expertise. Framjee is now head of the charity unit at Binder Hamlyn, part of Arthur Andersen Worldwide. “I wasn ’t opting out of the mainstream, ” he stresses. “It is just that I had begun to see the benefit of specializing in the work that I was doing. Today, we advise over 350 charities every year and we are way ahead in the charities sector compared to other professional advi ­ sors. Charities are willing to pay for specialist knowledge and it is very competitive and there are regular tenders where we all pitch for business. My expertise helps because I work full- time with charities and understand their issues. ” He addsf “What is really important is that the sector has been working hard towards raising the standards. However, a lot still needs to be done. ” Over the last 15 years, Framjee has written and lectured extensively on matters of governance, law, finance and man ­ agement. He is joint author of Charities — The Law and Practice, and he has written a book on charity trading. And he is almost ready with his next book on accounting and manage ­ ment as well. Framjee has also been instrumental in setting up the first MSc in charity finance and lectures at the South Bank Univer ­ sity. “For me charity financial management is regular finan ­ cial management ‘plus ’ something rather than ‘less ’ some ­ thing. It gives me tremendous job satisfaction, and it is also fun, ” he smiles. Yet, despite all the good work that Framjee-is doing in England, India holds a special place in his heart. Although he has 1 i ved for the past 20 years out of the country, he still retains his Indian passport, and expects that someday he will return with his wife Yasmine, and son Rustum. He would like to bring the professional skills of the UK voluntary sector to the Indian subcontinent. “People in the Indian charity sector are achieving so much, yet there is a notion that working for and with charities is not a real job and I wish that could be dispelled, ” he reasons. However, despite his many preoccupations and the seri ­ ousness of his concerns, Framjee is keen to clarify that he is not “a boring accountant in sober pin-stripe suits. ” He retains his sense of enthusiasm for the outdoors with his interest in the environment and sport. And he displays a keen and infectious sense of humor, a rather Parsi trait one may add, that sees him through situations of different kinds with a degree of flair and finesse. 21 Parsiana November 1998I PROFESSIONS COVERSTORY Managing the mergers As president of the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India and managing director of Glaxo-Burroughs Wellcome, Homi Khusrokhan is keen to improve health care facilities in the country Parinaz M. Gandhi Tablets and tonics, syrups and syringes invariably find shelf space in most ur ­ ban Indian homes. Check the labels, the chances are high that the manufacturer ’s name will be displayed as Glaxo or Burroughs Wellcome, two major play ­ ers in the pharmaceutical world who arc now, worldwide, one giant company . The products of these companies along with those of the Biddle Sawyer Group of Companies which was bought over by Glaxo in 1998 account for almost seven percent share in the domestic market, the largest in India, says Homi Khusrokhan who has been gradually strengthening the market standing of the company in India. In 1995 he took over as managing director of Burroughs Wellcome (India) Limited, a year later he assumed the additional responsibilities as managing director of Glaxo India Limited, and since 1997 he has been chairman of the Biddle Sawyer Group. “We ’d like to continue to be the number one com ­ pany, not only as a provider of medi ­ cines but as a contributor to the health care needs of the country, ” says the soft- spoken Khusrokhan summing up the by Glaxo pic, their market hold in India objectives of his interrelated firms. Giving guarded responses to the ques- competitor is Cipla with around five khan who has been chairman of the tion,s posed to him, often a smile, a grunt percent of the market share, followed by pricing committee and has been recently or a single sentence reply were meant to Ranbaxy, states Khusrokhan. appointed president of the Organisation effectively convey the views of this reti- “The composition ofthe industry will of Pharmaceutical Producers of India, cent head as he sat with his arms folded, change after 2005 when India starts rec- As compared to other multinationals or toyed with a pen or his fingertips. The ognizing patents for new discoveries, ” which prefer not to bring their products turnover of the Glaxo-Wellcome group he declares. As of now companies in at all rather than underprice them in in India, which is today over 1,000 crore India have the freedom to copy the dis- India, “we have brought all our new rupees, was between 600-700 crore ru ­ pees in 1996 (when he took over as the role ofindian companies will change, managing director) and just 35 crore rupees when he joined Glaxo Laborato ­ ries (India) Limited in the corporate finance division in 1972, declares Khusrokhan. “The company has changed a lot. When I joined, it was the second largest. Sarabbai was then num­ ber one. ” For the last 20 years they have retained their number one slot and with the acquisition of Wellcome worldwide Khusrokhan: setting priorities Ranbaxy, states Khusrokhan. “The composition of the industry will change after 2005 when India starts rec ­ ognizing patents for new discoveries, ” he declares. As of now companies in India have the freedom to copy the dis ­ coveries of others but with the new pol icy products to India irrespective of the low prices one gets in this market, ” he re ­ veals. The consumers therefore are the beneficiaries in this scenario where they can get internat'onal quality products at controlled prices. The reasons for Glaxo ’s command ­ ing position despite the travails of the “Certain Indian companies may there ­ fore feel that it may not be profitable to continue the way they ’d operated in the past and will put themselves up for sale to the larger companies, ” elaborates Khusrokhan specifying that mergers seen today in the Indian environment are an indicator of a “rush to consolidate one ’s market share before India changes its patent laws. ” “Acquisition is a way of achieving rapid growth, ” Khusrokhan had earlier conveyed in an interview with Business Line. “Managing of mergers and acqui ­ sitions is an art, and a learning process...(to) exploit the synergies...and absorb the best of bbth. ” Usually every pharmaceutical company specializes in medicines for certain ailments like can ­ cer, heart disease...With mergers, the salient products of the associated com ­ panies can be offered to doctors and nurses from a common platform. Speaking on behalf of his multina ­ tional parent company which ranks num ­ ber two in the global pharmaceutical sphere, Khusrokhan explained how dif ­ ficult it was to operate in the Indian environment where besides rampant duplication of products, “the govern ­ ment policy on pricing is very stringent and does not recognize product quality which is essential for multinationals. We therefore have to operate with prices which are not commensurate with our improved. Presently their immediate cost of production, ” declares Khusro- competitor is Cipla with around five 22 Parsiana November 1998 wr 1 views on them, ” says the father who will respect their choice. “We are a close, well-knit family, ” he maintains. Despite their busy schedules, both Dhanoo and After studying at Bombay ’s Cathe ­ dral and John Cormon High School and percent is due to the “trust that people the Sydenham College of Commerce have in the name, ” candidly assesses and Economics he qualified as a char- , _ Khusrokhan. “We are respected by doc- tered accountant, serving his articles of Homi were able to find time for their tors. The quality of our people, particu ­ larly our field force ” are the other fac ­ tors he identifies as hav ­ ing contributed to the company ’s success. “The Glaxo culture is a very strong performance-ori ­ ented culture, particularly in marketing, ” Khusro- khan had related to the ¦ Dalal Street Investment 9 Journal in an interview in I 1997. And his own streng- I ths? “The ability to work I hard, to work well with I people, and a good groun- g ding in finance, ” reveals u Khusrokhan at the risk of J “sounding immodest. ” What about the Zoro- | astrian employees in his I set-up? “Most Zoroastri- | ans have integrity, hon- I esty, dependability and I therefore make excellent I employees, ” is Khusro- I khan ’s opinion. “At the I same time there is a grow ­ ing concern that the old Zoroastrian Khusrokhan with wife Dhanoo and pharmaceutical industry where the growth rate has declined to around 10 association with Messrs A. F. Ferguson children in the past. It is a question of and Company. Two yeeirs later he com- “setting priorities and making time for the family whenever it is due, ” he explains. Although music and tennis do feature in his interests, “any major in ­ volvement in community activities ” is limited these days due to paucity of time. He likes to keep him- i self informed by scanning || Parsiana. Helping out with charitable and good social causes is his way of showing his concern for the community. Khusro ­ khan was brought up by his parents to respect the traditions of the faith and frequent the fire-temple fairly regularly. Father Rustam wUo hailed from Surat was legal advisor and later managing direc ­ tor of E. D. Sassoon and Company and mother Tehmina (Dolly) although bom in Bharuch spent her childhood in v^ues seem to be crumbling especially children Shirzad and Behnaz Calcutta. They have lived in Bombay when one hears of things which in the since the late 30s. Homi is in favor of past would have been unheard of.” pleled his MSc (Economics) in finance allowing children of Zoroastnan women Elaborating on this thought, Khusrokhan from the London School of Economics who have mamed out of the community * - 1 ¦ to be brought up as per the tenets of the Zoroastrian faith. At the same time he would not advocate active conversion from other faiths to Zoroastrianism, he specifies. Anticipating that India could be the fourth most important economy in the world by the year 2020, Khusrokhan is now concentrating on gearing the phar- His wife Dhanoo too has been ahighly maceutical industry for the changes successful figure in the corporate world with years of experience at Air-India. Currently she is Air-India ’s chief mar- vision. Both their children are presently Wellcome would like to continue being in the USA. Son Shirzad is working as a as compared to that in India is “probably business consultant with James Martin enjoying a better quality of life, ” ob­ serves Khusrokhan, “being well settled. ” Living in India has its advantages too L > f & .n 'I from the London School of Economics who have mamed out of the community and Political Science and stayed on in worldwide are coming down but it is sad the UK for three years working with the to see it happening among Zoroastrians too. ” _ Also disappointing for Khusrokhan years he has functioned as finance direc is to see the “old Zoroastrian entrepre ­ neurial spirit fading out. We used to have very good business sense. That generation of risk takers is no longer folio, there. ” If a person is sufficiently enter ­ prising, he would be able to find his own resources, believes Khusrokhan. “I don ’t think you need a purely Zoroastrian . venture capital fund to make people keting manager, national marketing di- more entrepreneurial. ” The Zoroastrian community overseas adds, “Generally, the moral values Ford Motor Company. On his return to India he joined Glaxo where over the tor, director in charge of the pharmaceu ­ ticals division and joint managing direc ­ tor before he assumed his current port ­ ahead. The emerging nations will, by the year 2005, account for 35 percent of the world pharma market as compared to 19 percent today, he feels. Sure,Glaxo- and Company in Fairfax, Virginia, after graduating in economics and art from ____ _ Lawrence University, Wisconsin, “in terms of larger numbers of Parsis Daughter Behnaz is studying at Denison and ample opportunities for growth and University in Ohio, keen to graduate in development, ” says 54-year-old Khusro ­ khan who has been round the full circle. the number one company, confirms Khusrokhan, where in addition to medi ­ cine they could offer services like dis ­ ease management for chronic diseases. As head of the Organisation of Pharma ­ ceutical Producers of India he is looking forward to “working closely with the government in developing health care economics and dance. “We ’d like them to return to India but will not impose our policies for the country. ” 25 Parsiana November 1998p POLITICS AND POLICY Capital concerns The Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India debates the creation and working of a proposed venture capital body Arnavaz S. Mama By March 31,1999 the Zoroastrian ven ­ ture capital project will be in operation declared Federation of Parsi Zoroas ­ trian Anjumans of India president and Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) chair- opinion among the youths as to the basis man Jamshed Guzder. He was speaking at the Federation ’s executive council meet at Bombay ’s M. P. Khareghat Hall on June 13 and 14, 1998. The idea of a Apart from individual addresses and tele ­ fund to provide seed capital to Parsi phone numbers, the directory provides a FOZYA) Jehangir Bisney “have volun- entrepreneurs had first been mooted at the Federation ’s biannual meet in Baroda in 1994. Delegates to the meet were informed of the establishment of the first Zoroas ­ trian commerce senior college with the Bahman, tnah Tir (November 21, 1998) Charni Road based Byramjee Jeejeebhoy which has been ritually celebrated since (WZO) are involved in a deKcate bal Parsee Charitable (BJPC) Institution be ­ ing upgraded by the University of Bom ­ bay from a junior college to a senior college beginning this June. With in ­ creasing difficulty in finding seats even in general colleges in Bombay, another welcome development was the ability of Parsis to claim seats in Gujarati founded and managed institutions on the basis of cently deceased Keki Pavri, a former their mother tongue being Gujarati, president of the Ahmedabad Parsi Gujarati educational institutions enjoy a Punchayet (APP) and a former inspec- 50 percent reservation forGujarati speak ­ ing candidates in Maharashtra. Indore Zoroastrian Anjuman presi ­ dent Bomi Heerjee was the spokesman for the several small anjumans of Madh ­ ya Pradesh (MP) who feel that a new central zone should be carved out so that they can be adequately represented on the Federation ’s executive council. As the Federation ’s constitution currently stands, there are five zones — north, south, east, west zone A and west zone B. MP anjumans belong to the north zone. The 5,000 sq ft property of the Thana of its doongerwadi. The late Homi Tale- anjuman known as Anjuman Cottage is yarkhan paid tribute to the “devotion allegedly encroached upon by the local and dedication (of Pavri) to any cause he Shiv Sena chief Anand Dighe. Its cur ­ rent market value is assessed at one crore rupees but the 20-year battle con ­ tinues with scant hope for the anjuman. A constitutional amendment to en ­ able a youth delegate to be coopted on the executive council continues to pend to the next meet due to a divergence of secretary Keki Gandhi deferred the pass ­ ing of the minutes to the next day and informed the gathering that Delhi Parsi Due to a delay in the circulation of minutes some delegates had not received their copy. With an apology honorary of selection of such a representative. Copies of the new Pune directory Anjuman (DPA) trusteeFarokhRustomji were distributed to Federation delegates, and Hyderabad Secunderabad Anjuman trustee (and founding president of wealth of community based informa ­ tion. The next meeting of the council will be held in Sanjan to coincide with a grand celebration of Sanjan Day, roj teered to share my workload. ” The only information on the forma ­ tion of a world body — whereon Rohin- ton Rivetna, foqpding president of FEZANA and Rumi Sethna, president of the World Zoroastrian Organisation 1981 as -the “memorial day ” for the ancingact —was that Sethna was “work ­ advent of Zoroastrians in India. The ing day and night on drafting changes to Federation of Zoroastrian Youth Asso­ ciations (FOZYA) has offered to host the 1999 winter meet of the Federation Anjuman president Nariman Mogrelia in Udvada. spoke of his concern that “the new The delegates began by observing a (WZO) constitution... must be able to minute ’s silence in memory of the re- the WZO constitution, ” as stated Gandhi. Federation vice president and Madras stand the scrutiny of any other body or individual ” in light of the “objection of many people ” to its present constitution. J 26 Parsiana November 1998 % tor general of police in Gujarat. APP Venture capital delegate and FOZYA president Porus As one of the businessmen and profes- Karanjawalla spoke of the school Pavri had founded along with his wife Feroza where he ensured free education for Parsi teachers ’ children. Involved in the Byramjee made a guest appearance to welfare of poor Parsis in Ahmedabad, the Pavris had sustained a severe blow in the death of their 31-year-old son. The former BPP chief executive and munici ­ pal commissioner of Ahmedabad Rus- tom Anklesaria described Pavri as a fine horseman and commended his work on the APP, particularly the beautification sionals co-opted by the BPP on its ven ­ ture capital committee^noted business ­ man and philanthropist Khushrooh undertook. ” This Federation meeting was the last major community event in which the veteran politician-diplomat partook ere his demise a fortnight later. acquaint Federation members with the committee ’s discussions. He described it as a two pronged initiative with a vehicle to collect funds and an adminis ­ tration to disburse it. The debate regarding a venture capi ­ tal fund which is designed to provide seed capital to small entrepreneurs has been on whether it should be a trust or a limited liability company. Whereas a trust would be able to accept donations, the disbursement of loans on business terms would jeopardize its charity insti ­ tution status. A pubic limited company on the other hand would be unable to *KU receive donations. Noting that “our brief (was) to create a modus by which well-wishers can con ­ tribute, ’’ Byramjee said the recent bud ­ get had permitted public charity trusts established prior to 1961 to raise funds and contribute. Thus “the dispersing arm will be a corporate entity, ” open to sub ­ scription while the generating arm would be through a public charitable trust like the BPP. Asked whether the new body would provide for capital assets or working capital, Byramjee said it would enter as a shareholder (of the nascent company) and give whatever the unit requires. Rustomji felt that “if it ’s a matter of shares any anjuman would contribute but not if it ’s only a matter of dona ­ * tions. ” BPP trustee Rustom Tirandaz ’s con ­ cern was to “ensure that the man you are giving to is honest, isn ’t a gambler, world be asked to participate at the ini- hasn ’t got extra-marital affairs. Ask for ’ ' (character) reference from three or four respectable people who are not a te contribute. Tirandaz and Mogrelia were of the opinion that the Zoroastrian corporate tial stage. “Call the wealthiest Parsis... promise no more than 12 percent re ­ turns, ” advised Tirandaz. “Invite the businessmen, ” he advised. Thereafter Parsi corporate world to the Sanjan he suggested that the funders follow the meet, ” suggested Mogrelia. “Create in ­ feasibility of the proposal to its logical terest in the hearts and minds of young ­ conclusion and not let the applicant wait sters ... unnecessarily adding that a bank nomi- Taleyarkhan wanted budding entre- nee could be appointed on the board of preneurs to make full use of SIDBI the new enterprise. (Small Industries Development Bank of Stating that “we need a promised India) which is a subsidiary of IDBI contribution of two to three crores, ” (Industrial Development Bank of In- Byramjee said that the “framework will dia). However “not even a fraction of be ready shortly. ” Then it ’ll be up to the the massive SIDBI loans are availed of BPP and other anjumans to decide what by Parsis, ” he said. Byramjee noted that 28 Parsiana November 1998 ? rI L to R (top row): Guzder, K. Gandhi, Cluhwala, Mogrelia, E. Irani, Shroff, Rustomji and B. Dastur; (middle row): Tamboly, Mehta, Engineer, Taleyarkhan, Tirandaz, Byramjee, Heerjee and Anklesaria; (bottom row): A. Irani, D. Irani, N. Balsara, Noshir Paghdiwalla, Kavarana, P. Irani and Karanjawalla “the entrepreneur would be getting cial committee to finalize the proposal. According to Tirandaz, BPP trustee Silloo Kavarana ’s cheque for one lakh rupees was ready. He urged her to send money from the Parsi community when all other avenues have failed. ” Taleyar ­ khan was also at pains to convince the gathering that Parsis tended to neglect it in as seed capital for the new fund via the area of marketing: hence “the excel- the BPP but BPP trustee Dinshaw lence of our products is wasted, ” he Tamboly objected that the matter had noted. Gandhi requested “a written note re ­ garding why a particular mode of orga- it amateurishly. ” Acknowledging the ur- nization (was required), properly docu- gency of the matter and the imperative mented... give it to experts to vet. ” He anticipated that solicitor-Berjis Desai, in consultation with corporate legal eagle they won ’t get loans on a platter. Their Soli Dastur would be able to put forward boards must have independent profes- a properly documented scheme. Dastur, sionals. ” Brushing aside the goal of a Desai and Byramjee will be joined by two to four crore capital for the fund, Gandhi and finance management expert Shroff noted, ‘TOO crores is a fleabite. and BPP trustee Minoo Shroff on a spe- What if you have 20 entrepreneurs? The not been discussed by the BPP board. Shroff believed “we are going about I need for a spirit of reassurance Shroff nonetheless reconunended, “Tell Parsis hit rate will be five or six... You must have a system... Package it well and the money will come. A fund is never raised on its own capital. You use loans for leverage (and) service the loans. Put more than adequate talent (available) in Bombay to use, ” he advised. “Fully supporting Minoo Shroff, ” Anklesaria urged those involved to “do something concrete... put it up at the Sanjan meet, ” and used Mogrelia ’s suc ­ cess as an exporter of garments “from a seed to a tree ” as justification for haste. With his experience as consultant to medium scale industry behind him, BPP assistant secretary Behram Dastur pointed to some of the recurring causes of failure in enterprise: the management style and techniques, lack of marketing 29 Parsiana November 1998 «I __________ ¦ ; ¦ Dahanu wondered if the yatra dham vised cost of Rs 50 lakhs (it had earlier designation for Udvada would permit been pegged at Rs 40 lakhs of which and financial expertise and family feuds, four lakh rupees had been contributed to He urged the BPP to create “a core group to counsel entrepreneurs in man ­ agement techniques so that they don ’t fall into the same pitfalls. ” Nariman Balsara of Saronda referred to a 21-acre non agricultural property on 1 , . with nine big poultry sheds and a 5,000 sq ft bungalow with staff quarters and infrastructure going “dirt cheap. ” The Khoja landlord is asking for 2.5 crores and may settle for less, but Balsara estimates its worth at four crores. With a new port coming up which may con ­ vert the whole taluka into a city zone, Balsara urged the venture capitalists to secure the property during the current recession in real estate and set up bud ­ ding entrepreneurs there. While on the subject of aiding new entrepreneurs Tirandaz announced that a polyclinic for Parsi doctors would be coming up in Bombay ’s Gamadia Colo- . ny (in place ofthe defunct Godrej Press) dent Dara Irani raised a query regarding Sir P. M. Bhavan in the next six months. a smashanbhoomi (cemetery) being ere- ated close to the Parsi gymkhana in Udvada Udvada. According to Tirandaz, no lo- According to information received from cal Zoroastrian was ’ the Zoroastrian member of the National Minorities Commission Marazban Pat ­ rawala, Udvada has been designated as a pavitra yatra dham (pilgrim center). Some ambiguities have however sur ­ faced since then. The matter of designating Udvada as a special religious holiday center had been under the consideration of the gov ­ ernment for years and awaiting the completion ofthe Save Udvada Project, said Taleyarkhan who chaired the Save Udvada committee. New four and five storeyed buildings have come up there, he noted which “means that Udvada is more popular. ” Taleyarkhan expected the offshore L to R: Masani, Bisney, Cursetji, Paghdiwalla and Pastakia breakwater, being constructed at a re- the restriction of properties around the Iranshah to be restricted to Parsi owner ­ ship. While Guzder felt “(We) can ’t ask year and acknowledged the cooperation government to do so,” B. Dastur sug- of the Gujarat government and of Zal ...................... . Tarapore, former director of the Gov ­ ernment Of India ’s(GOI) Central Water coreligionists^who are selling their and Power Research Station in Pune, the periphery of Saronda village IranianZoroastrian Anjuman(IZA) vice by the community) to be ready in one gested that at best the community could appeal to the value system of their homes to non-Parsis. As lawyer D. Irani pointed out, “Unless it ’s a historical monument, anyone has the right to sell The 5,000 sq ft to whoever, ” adding, “You can ’t blame I I ic OH II toHon-Parsis consider- property of the Thana ing the offers they get! ” anjuman is allegedly encroached upon by the local Shiv Sena chief Anand Dighe An entry/permit tax to Gujarat has affected pilgrim buses to Udvada, it was reported. The per capita fee of Rs 100 was proving to be a deterrent to such travel. While Anklesaria explained how transport operators who do not have the state ’s permit to traverse, have to pay the tax at the entry point and collect the jected to the concrete blocks being used proceeds from the passengers, Taleyar- and Taleyarkhan noted that corrective " ................... ... action had been taken. Poona Parsi Panchayat (PPP) presi- president Aspi Irani said he had ob- khan said he had taken up the matter with the concerned minister in Gujarat. Guzder referred to the Sir P. Mehta Bhavan coming up at the Bombay Uni ­ versity campus in Kalina. The two-sto- willing to support reyed structure, designed to house the the lone objector Pervez Postwalla in University ’s department of civics and court for fear ofthe local sarpanch (head) politics, is estimated to cost four crore who was overstepping his authority rupees. Guzder has contributed Rs 10 while Taleyarkhan said he would try to have the project shifted, though Gov ­ ernment sanction had been given. A. Irani spoke of new buildings and now suggested that Zoroastrians from row houses being served by the single all over India contribute to the memory road that leads to the Iranshah. He sug ­ gested that an existing kacha (dirt) road lakh towards it and the Iranian philan ­ thropists Mehraban and Faridoon Zarthosty have added Rs 90 lakhs. He now of the feisty fighter for local self-gov ­ ernment and that they should channel be developed so that the Atash Behram their contributions through the BPP/Fed- is bypassed. Tamboly deduced from “the eration so that a tidy sum could be con- fact that Udvada (has been) designated tributed on behalf of the community. yatra dham” and that “the government (would be) willing to undertake infra ­ structure. ” FOZYA secretary Pervez Irani of Wadia colleges there, B. Dastur sug- Quoting a letter from Prof Hoshang Mugat of Pune that Parsis are finding it difficult to gain admission into the three 30 Parsiana November 1998 1 s 4''engineering admissions. \ < ? ; * i I t • Lto R (top row): Master, Sharma, S. Ginwalla and Patel; (bottom row): Dara Pavri, Dehara, Dick and K. Marker laid there. BPP joint secretary Sheroo Master informed the council that Parsi children Individual anjumans had received admission in general col- Rustom Cursetjee of Thana related a leges administered by Gujarati trusts on problem that has been baffling the Thana the basis of their mother tongue being Anjuman for the past 20 years. An en- Gujarati. On the basis of a format pro- croacherona5,0(X)sq ft property known vided by the college the BPP is issuing as Anjuman Cottage unlawfully passed certificates that the child is Gujarati its possession to one Dutta Shanker Pandey. While the anjuman won their Tirandaz stated that the BJPC school case in court, Pandey passed on the and Junior College had been upgraded possession of the property to Dighe. into a “full-fledged commerce college. ” The institution was in need of funds and Tirandaz urged Federation members to gives dates and doesn ’t keep them... On contribute through the Federation to paper (we have been) given possession, enable it to ask for nomination rights. Thana anjuman ’s Pervez Bhesania spoke of the B. Jeejeebhoy School there Shroff suggestedthattheThanaanjuman gested that Guzder/the BPP “ask for two seats for Parsis... whenever you make handsome contributions (to) ensure that future generations are not left out in the cold. ” According to the Pune delegate speaking, she said, the administration of the Wadia colleges is willing to reserve seats for Parsis if industrialist-donor Nusli Wadia gives a letter to that affect. While Taleyarkhan felt that such a move would “put the chairman in an embarrassing position unless the law is changed, ” Guzder spoke of his meeting with a GOI appointee to explore minori ­ ties representation who “knew nothing which was not functioning any more. A representatives contact Pervez Damania about Parsis or reservation. ” Guzder said he appealed to Massey ’s “sense of mo ­ rality and equity ” after acquainting him with Zoroastrian contributions and how the first cosmopolitan school opened by Thana registry to find out who owns it. Parsis in Gujarat 178 years ago had reared such a protege as the late Kumudben Joshi who, as governor of Tamil Nadu, had accepted the school ’s invitation to grace an anniversary cel ­ ebration. She had then recalled how she used to walk several miles a day in bare feet to and from school. Her career had taken her high thanks to the foundations “Dighe promises to vacate the property every two months. He shows respect, but not physically, ” detailed-Cursetjee. BPP trustees Dadi Engineer and part of its area had been used for road who is known to be close to the Shiv widening. They had written to the Sena leadership. “The legal system will Jeejeebhoy Trust but had not received take years, ” opined Engineer. Shroff any reply. Gandhi urged him to go to the noted that Damania “is well disposed toward Parsis ” but the Thana represen ­ tatives noted that Damania had prom ­ ised to speak to Dighe but thereafter he had not been accessible. With an annual income of 15-16 lakh rupees from the cultivation and sale of grass on its Palghar land, the IZA Shroff suggested that the Thana anju ­ man trustees work to revive it. “There is only one good school in Thana and a lot of pressure for admission, ” he said. In Nagpur there are many educa ­ tional institutions noted Nagpur dele ­ gate Thrity Patel who heads Nagpur has stepped up its charity disbursements University ’s department of law. She of- as related A. Irani, paying dole money fered help to those seeking medical/ by cross and order cheques. He re- 31 Parsiana November 19981 i b i Lto R (top row) A. Nargolwala, H. Gandhi, B. Irani and Hormuz Dastur (alongside): S. Palkhiwala, Cooper, V. Gandhi and Mistrv quested outstation anjumans to bear out anjuman and is largely funded from the tion thanks to Tamboly who introduced , the authenticity of requests from their rent of the prayer hall, one room and a the PPP to the donor. Construction work areas so that the IZA could provide store room which have been leased out. is expected to begin after the monsbori, morefreely to those who are truly needy. “Taxes are high, the occupancy of the said D. Irani. The bunglis at the doon- Khurshed Pastakia, secretary ot the dharamshala negligible... wedon ’tknow gerwadi have been renovated and painted Borivli and Suburban Zoroastrian As- what to do, ” said Debara sadly. thankstoaWZOdonation.Theincreased sociation noted that Kavarana was the first BPP trustee ever to attend their Dae mah jashan. A regular feature of the Association is an annual boat cruise which is largely patronized. They have also been regularly holding religious lectures under the Zarthosty brothers ’ fund. Balsara stated that the population of Saronda village was declining and it was very difficult to get a mobed for the Masani renewed his invitation to the Gavashni, its bi-monthly jiewsletter village agiary as the salary was meager. Zoroastrians ofindia who might be ready keeps the community informed. On a recent visit Tamboly and well to avail of their anjuman properties There is no regularity to the Secun ­ known solicitor Burjor Antia had as- gradually falling vacant. With its popu- derabadnewsletter, admittedBisney who sured the mobeds that whatever the anjuman paid would be enhanced from their other trusts to enable them to re ­ ceive a monthly income of Rs 10,000. Balsara is trying to generate funds to provide for provident fund, pension, etc. (The scheme is to be administered in stages, depending upon the ceremo ­ nies the mobeds perform, Tamboly later informed Parsiana.) Daulat Debara of Agra counted 26 active members of the Agra anjuman days were too short! plus three non-resident members. Main ­ taining their dharamshala ’s nine rooms with bath and toilet is a drag on the storeyed building will go into construc- anjuman and is largely funded from the rent of the prayer hall, one room and a store room which have been leased out. “Taxes are high, the occupancy of the 33 Parsiana November 1998 what to do, ” said Debara sadly. There are 680 Parsis in all walks of PPP disbursements were due to the help life in Nagpur amid a total population of of the Incorporated Trustees of Hong 2.5 million. The last election saw the Kong, Canton and Macau. reelection of its office bearers for the 10th time in succession, reported Patel fancy dress contest, the felicitation of who is the Nagpur nominee on the Na ­ tional Human Rights Commission. Sixty-two families reside in the anju ­ man ’s seven multistoried buildings. Mhow anjuman secretary DrBehram ported Nauzer Batliwala. The Calcutta Masani renewed his invitation to the The Calcutta Parsi Club ’s annual priests, the Amateur Dramatic Club ’s annual jashan are among the activities that maintain the communal spirit among Calcutta ’s 600-800 Parsis, re- to avail of their anjuman properties gradually falling vacant. With its popu ­ lation in the 65-70year age-group Mhow noted that otherwise the anjuman faced is the only anjuman to have appointed the Federation as its custodian trustee which includes the appointment of a Federation representative on its board gether, reported Sarosh Ginwalla. Fear- of trustees to ensure continuity of ad ­ ministration and ownership of its many properties. In Baroda where the Punchayet held a camp for the seven to 14 year age- group, there were complaints that four chooses to help those who ancestrally ! belonged to Bharuch and may have mi- The PPP is concentrating on building grated, especially with education and houses on its land and Pune ’s first 10- no problems. At Bharuch, monthly jashans at dif ­ ferent agiaries get the community to- ing future encroachment at the Towers of Silence they have begun to enclose the land at a cost of two-and-a-half lakh to three lakh rupees. Since Bharuch is a cash-rich anjuman, the Punchayet medical benefits. “What happens if we send a crossed cheque or demand draftto a person hospitalized in another town? He/she may not have a bank ac ­ count there, ” asked Ginwalla. Gandhi recommended the good offices of the BPP/ Federation or the local anjuman. the Jhansi anjuman can find a priest who Gandhi and Taleyarkhan urged the Shroff suggested that the cheque be sent will do the navjote and the Jhansi youths to take the opportunity of TISCO directly to the hospital or in the name of anjuman will accept him, it ’s their privi- any individual known personally. Adult franchise prevails in Ahme- dabad and a general election is due in six months when the entire board of trustees will be standing for election, noted APP trustee Karanjawalla. The youths there help to keep the agiary and doonger- wadi clean Two Parsi youths from Ahmedabad have been outstanding in ----------------------------------------------------- The Baroda youth have produced a sports in recent months, Karanjawalla lege. The verdict of the clergy is that directory which extends to the entire said. both parents be Zoroastrians. ” Describ- district including the new industrial Six ghambars are celebrated in Daha- ing it as a social issue, Gandhi declared towns. They have also .begun the prac- nu with vegetarian meals organized by that each anjuman is free to decide on its tice of congregating every Sunday at the youth, related Banoogoshasp Irani, own. the agiary where they have an excellent Their school, launched in 1991 had now reached the 10th standard and they were eagerly awaiting the results of their first batch. The school ’s second wing, con ­ structed from Zoroastrian funds, is nearly policy. ” complete. In collaboration with the Na ­ tional Heritage Society they were in the Pope. (We have) no dictatorial powers. ” process of establishing and maintaining a man grove plantation in the area around question of dictatorship? ” the school which has been supported by the Bombay Suburban Electric Supply. The Madras anjuman is still looking for a second priest to assist the mobed at judge on socio-religious topics... The the Jal Phiroj Clubwala Dar-e-Meher BPP gave permission to Neville and who has been working single handed for Nusli (Wadia)! ” the past three years, said co-opted mem ­ ber Mani Clubwala of Madras. As a (and the letters) to the one-man commit ­ temporary respite, it now appears that an SSC level lad from the Dadar Madressa sponsibility. will be sent on a short posting to enable the Madras panthaky to go on well- earned leave, informed Tamboly. They are also in need of a general assistant to help maintain the agiary wha would be provided food and accommodation apart been inducted onto the BPP’s fromhissalary.TheMadrasdharamshala doongerwadi committee has “changed too needs publicity and a “morale boost ” to augment its income. However, indi ­ vidual donations have started coming in on a monthly basis from the community which Mogrelia called a “new develop ­ ment. ” Get-togethers on the last Satur ­ day of each month are proving to be an “umbrella for new airivals to meet resi ­ dents ” and a Parsi'teen band is doing well. Ronny Dick of Jhansi spoke of a social problem in his region where a host anjuman prefers to restrict the num Parsi man was baptized in Christianity. Now married he wants his son ’s navjote performed. Dick wanted the BPP to tell him what to do. forms. On the cards are site visits to Tata Before the BPP representatives could Iron and Steel Company and Tata Elec- respond Gandhi clarified that it was not trical and Locomotive Company plants a matter for the Federation to decide. “If there. the Jhansi anjuman can find a priest who “Taxes are high, the occupancy of the dharamshala negligible...we don't know what to do ” managing director Dr Jamshed Irani ’s presence to find a berth in the Tata organizations. Also, the Jamshedpur anjuman has plenty of accommodation in its hostel and is wondering what to do with the property if Parsi boys are not forthcoming, informed Gandhi. Calcutta youths are gearing up for the seminar, noted Batlivala. both parents be Zoroastrians. ” Describ ­ ing it as a social issue, Gandhi declared that each anjuman is free to decide on its own. This led to an altercation with an rapport with the panthaky and questions irate Tirandaz: “You are now telling us that seven or eight Parsis decide among (themselves)! Let us have a uniform and answers on rituals are the order of the day, noted Farhad Wadia. The Pune directory compiled by the youths there was released on Jamshedi Navroze. Sarosh PSlkhiwala thanked Tamboly, Gandhi and Union Press pro- Tirandaz: “Interpret! Where ’s the prietor Rohinton Chinoy for thgir help with the project. The 106 plus 30 yellow pages of the Directory of Pune Zoroastrians 1998 Gandhi: “The Federation is not the Gandhi: “What ’s the point of inter ­ preting if you can ’t lead? ” Tirandaz: “You can ’t say you can ’t detailing some of the community insti ­ tutions in Pune, a list of fire-temples in India and abroad, dharamshalas, sana ­ toria and charity funds, was distributed to the Federation delegates. Additional interest is provided by the names and tee of Tirandaz who accepted the re- addresses ofindividuals who have agreed to function as matrimonial bureaux. Because the Baroda held 11th youth seminar and the Hyderabad-Secun ­ derabad hosted Kaleidoscope were held in quick succession, BorivJi youths, who are sponsored by the association, were given a choice, revealed Pastakia. The dynamic young committee of the Madras Parsi Association organizes games, housie, antakshari (singing songs It was decided to entrust the matter Later, speaking about the “humane aspect of the BPP” Tirandaz said that Kavarana quietly picks up destitute Parsis from railway stations or streets; that social worker Mithoo Jesia who had the face of the lower bunglis and of the Wadia bungli; ” if a dead body with sudreh-kusti is found and no one claims starting with the last letter of the preced- it, the police gets in touch with the BPP... “It ’s about time that the 350-year-old apex body gets its due recognition. ” ing song) and quiz programs, informed Clubwala. The surplus musical talent has resulted in the formation of a teen band of which the community is very Youth activities proud. Clubwala estimated a third of the The 12th Zoroastrian Youth Seminar Madras population of300 to be under 40 will be hosted by Jamshedpur, October years old and Mogrelia described them 22-25, 1998, announced P. Irani. The as very self-disciplined thanks to the local culture. Mogrelia and the Madras • ber of delegates to 250. P. Irani asked Anjuman are ready to offer career op- those anjumans who are not FOZYA portunities to Zoroastrian youths from members to write to FOZYA for entry other parts of the country but it would 34 Parsiana November 1998 *L- depend upon individuals. “People who believe is building their own destiny are welcome, ” said Mogrelia. P. Irani urged Madras representa ­ tives to send their youths to Jamshedpur but Clubwala thought it would be better for them to go to Sanjan to “know their roots. ” Most youths in Mhow have moved away. Kerman Marker reiterated his fa ­ ther Group Captain Dhunjishaw Mar ­ ker ’s earlier offer: “Any boy wanting to start an aerated water business can come and stay with us and learn the job.” Of Jhansi ’s 15 youths, four have found spouses at the annual youth semi ­ nars, announced Dick happily. He is prepared to send two or three boys to Jamshedpur but noted that some par ­ ents do not allow their children to go. In Nagpur there is a stress on sports with intercity cricket matches. There are Navroze, Pateti and agiary func ­ tions as well as nataks (plays) based on the history of Nagpur Parsis, said Patel. The youths are encouraged to learn com ­ puters. She reported an increasing popu ­ lation and several of their children find ­ ing mates at the youth seminars. DPA’s Adil Nargolwala referred to its small youth wing which has not been brainchild of the late social scientist Prof Noshirwan Kaikobad who had planted this and other ideas for commu- tributing the giant success of the event to this single-minded pursuit: “We knew in our minds what we wanted. It was not just one more youth meet. The planning nity service such as school and family and implementation began in January counseling which had been absorbed by 1997. Each event e.g. the money market the BPP. But the most conscientious game, took two months of preparation implementerofthese programs had been with the help of professionals and com ­ “Not even a fraction of the massive SIDBI loans are availed of by Parsis ” Anklesaria who as chief executive of the Punchayet had shouldered the burden of encouraging and training the young so­ cial workers, notably Marfatia. Tirandaz spoke of the boys of the Dadar Parsi Colony as having started “the world ’s first floodlit cricket, vol ­ leyball and football tournaments of Parsis... There used to be quite a few drug addicts (who are) now almost elimi ­ nated. (They) brought in Khojeste Mis­ tree who spoke from 8.30 p.m. to 1.30 and (the youths) acquired a healthy pride... We adults have forgotten how to motivate (but) Zoroastrian youth can be self-motivated... They are doing an excellent job but not reporting it. ” Approximately 30 percent of the 1,000 members of the Thana Zoroas- a.m. puters in a room at a five-star hotel. ” Now the youths there are keen to attend the next seminar. Saluting the wealth of talent that Ka ­ leidoscope ’98 highlighted, K. Gandhi noted Zoroastrian parents ’ reluctance to nurture music, sports and fine art talents to the extent that they promote academ ­ ics. He had written to 30 such partici ­ pants offering help with professional trian Anjuman an* under the age of 40, guidance, coaching, etc and had received noted Cursetjee. Describing the Zqroas- a response from 12, some of whom were ¦ keen to pursue their fields of talent. K. Gandhi now suggested that money gen ­ in the mainstream of Zoroastrian youths erated from conferences like the FOZYA seminars, Kaleidoscope and the Feder ­ ation ’s own women and children ’s fund be used for the purpose and received a general sanction from the council. Zelda Mistry and Vinifer Gandhi spoke about the BPP’s Holiday Pro­ dent until DPA president retired Lt Gen gramme for Youth (HPY) conducted for trian Youth Association of Thana as a vibrant, growing group which partici ­ pates wholeheartedly in all the Anju ­ man ’s programs, he noted that the two in India and promised to “try for greater seminars, Kaleidoscope and the Feder- community housing projects there had participation ” in future. Homi Gandhi ation ’s own women and children ’s fund provided the space for an intellectual of the DPA referred to the plight of be used for the purpose and received a exchange among the youths. He prom- Sanam Rabadi who was vegetating at general sanction from the council. ised to send delegates to Jamshedpur. Bombay ’s B. D. Petit Parsee General Zelda Mistry and Vinifer Gandhi As FOZYA president Karanjawalla Hospital (PGH) after a highway acci- spoke about the BPP’s Holiday Pro- reported on the 25 youths from different dent until DPA president retired Lt Gen gramme for Youth (HPY) conducted for cities of India who had made a trip to Adi Sethna moved her to the Spinal a month in April-May each year for Nepal he acknowledged the help of Delhi Research Centre. Her condition has im- those who had just finished their sec- youths, especially of Nargolwala and proved but the treatment cost ot about ondary school examinations. The 200 the free bed and breakfast made avail- 2.5 lakh rupees has been deferred. The participants from Bombay and the able to them at the Delhi dharam-shalla, family ’s money is tied up with a prop- mofussil divide their 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. courtesy the DPA. They were planning erty dealer, he said and asked for guid- days between hearing about career op- an intercity meet in Udvada in Nadir ance on how to raise the requisite funds, tions from professionals in each field. Modi s bungalow and offered to host Tamboly noted that the WZO had discovering their social and religious the Federation meeting in the winter of raised 1.5 lakhs for the girl while she roots, participating in social service as 1999 in Udvada while K. Gandhi, in a was in Bombay. D. Irani said the PPP well as sports, dramatics and fashion oblique reference to the Federation's had donated Rs 10,000 while she was a patient at the PGH. He was aware that the family had a row house in Pune which the grandmother was looking af ­ ter. K. Gandhi said that one needed to know their needs and also the funds available to them so far, before approach ­ ing prospective donors. Invitations for Kaleidoscope were dis ­ patched a year ahead and throughout backbone of the HPY.” that time the Secunderabad-Hyderabad youth “refused to be sidetracked with any other event, ” informed Bisney, at ­ those who had just finished their sec- youths, especially of Nargolwala and ondary school examinations. The 200 participants from Bombay and the mofussil divide their 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. days between hearing about career op­ tions from professionals in each field. roots, participating in social service as well as sports, dramatics and fashion shows to learn the strength of team work, role in the establishment of FOZYA, After the course they have the option to join the BPP Youth Club where the current membership is 263. An attrac ­ tion is the opportunity to learn to operate availed if required. the internet from Cyrus Vaid at a modest Rs 300. The girls thanked the BPP for Of office bearers/co-opted members the opportunity and described Diana A. Irani was appointed joint honorary Marfatia who conducts the event as “the t ............ .............------------------------------ smiled benignly: “I am very proud that the child had grown up enough... ” and assured them that their offer would be treasurer with Anklesaria and Shroff as joint honorary secretary with K. Gandhi. K. Gandhi reminded the gathering The positions were vacant since the that while the BPP trustees had been very supportive, the program was the retirement of Peshotan Nargolwala and Eruch Desai. Master takes the place of 36 Parsiana November 1998 % *the late Gool Tata as executive secretary of the Federation. K. Gandhi explained the nomina- __ _____xnvu tions in terms ofthe BPP agreeing to join people between 35 and 55 the Federation with a single vote on the general body despite “the population of Parsis in Bombay being more than the recommended that the representative be (looking for) 20 youths from 20 in the 20-30 i----- --- ¦ ¦ Mogrelia objected: “Then where will go? They year age-group. But anjumans rather than one representa ­ tive. ” E. Irani defended his view. “In Indore, Delhi was attacked (for not bringing youth delegates). Today there are two ____________ -? we attack Madras, next time you will bring a youth from Madras... Let it be dis ­ cussed threadbare in Jamshedpur. Then take a decision. ” “Youths here are only invitees (They are) not members of the organization. Therefore FOZYA asked to be a mem ­ ber of the Federation, ” noted P. Irani. But K. Gandhi insisted that at the execu ­ tive council meets everyone ’s views were heard, whether they were youth, invitee or member. Though Mogrelia contin ­ ued to maintain that co-option is the . .------- ------J V— v..<3 case. Federation twice a year, it s OK with FOZYA) and begins with ex officio one nominee from eacli zone of FOZYA. There ’ll be five nominees of youth to _ ____ ___ add to 35 already there! ” adding, “If often move away froi® the mainstream. won ’t be here nor there! ” Though Batlivala agreed in prin- ____________ rest of the wnrid nnd RPP b U ciple with E. Irani he noted how few youth representatives from there. If est ot the world and BPP work being youths there were in the north, east and greater than the combined work of all the other associations. The BPP enjoys five votes on the executive council ver ­ sus 35 others... One honorary secretary and the executive secretary from the BPP is an unwritten understanding, ” maintained K. Gandhi who felt he would be “failing in (his) duty if (he) did not acknowledge ” the BPP’s graciousness. On the question of co-opting a youth representative on the Federation ’s ex ­ ecutive council the youth lobby was in disarray. FOZYA sought the right to recommend a youth under 40 years for the two-year term. To this PPP secretary and Federation vice president Eruch Irani sought to add the clause that the youth in question will be selected from a differ ­ ent zone on rotation each time. He they have so much enthusiasm, take claimed that it was essential to motivate youths from smaller towns and villages. When parents hear of a child's need for counselling, they vehemently object and ask, “Is my child mad?” south zones. “So, if FOZYA wants to ______ ___ nominate a competent person to the right of the parent body (in this me. ” Added Tirandaz puckishly: “Have representation (he was supported by Cursetjee who argued that the reins must remain with the parent body as youths them all together. Are they going to scuttle yourdiscussions? ” But the youths He was supported by Cyrus Cooper of did not rise to the bait and a disap- Baroda in a heated exchange with pointed Tirandaz castigated them: “Are Karanjawalla which K. Gandhi was con ­ strained to interrupt. “We are getting stuck with what we ’ve got. Ensure youth participation; motivate a second in com ­ mand, ” maintained E. Irani. Karanja ­ walla resisted this, noting, “If the execu ­ tive council is willing for an ‘x’ person, it ’s their responsibility... He should be a member of the member associations of FOZYA,” he maintained. Karanjawalla who has been president of FOZYA for six years may continue in the position, pointed out D. Irani implying that thereby new talent cannot enter. K. Gandhi noted that the prerogative lay with FOZYA ___________ ______ and asked the dissenting parties to thrash to thrash out the point. He now noted out the matter outside and come to a that “the purpose will be lost if one consensus. In the meantime K. Gandhi read out the guidelines: FOZYA execu ­ tive council will have the power to de ­ cide; the representative would be under 40 years; he need not necessarily be a member of the FOZYA’s executive com ­ mittee. There was no reference to the candidate ’s record of community in- volvement/service. Mogrelia was strongly in favor of ex officio representation to prevent contro ­ versy and suggested a ceiling of two terms of two years each. B. Dastur found the age limit of 40 “funny. ” He FOZYA communications addressed tp some Thana youths go unheeded while the Thana Anjuman, which provides air transport to the youths to attend the annual meets, is left in the dark, he said,) K. Gandhi maintained FOZYA’s right to come to a consensus and was sup- you the leaders of tomorrow? Shame on you. You can ’t even fight for yourself! ” ______________ At a later stage K. Gandhi brought up ported by Tamboly who noted, “It ’s a the subject again, incorporating the pro­ posal in the guideline that the same person should not be reappointed after a two-year term and that preferably the sibility. Let them meet, discuss, corne to new representative would come from a different zone. He sought an endorse ­ ment adding that if the proposal proves unfeasible in practice, it could be amended. K. Gandhi ’s conciliatory approach was rejected by E. Irani on the basis that Anupama Sharma. There had been progress in 20 cases which had been terminated. Based in the BJPC, the Avabai Petit and the Cowasji Jehangir there was no meeting among the youth 38 Parsiana November 1998 % historical fact that each generation is smarter than the earlier one. The youth are wise enough to realize their respon- their own decisions. ” BPP programs In the past academic year the BPP’s school counselors had worked on 80 cases, reported BPP school counsellor that “the purpose will be lost if ________________ ______ person is given responsibility. Others (C. J.) High School, they work onlndi- may say there is no need to attend ” and i ’ ’ ' ? ___ __ revived the older contention that every proceeding from personal interviews anjuman should bring one youth. “The whole youth movement is concentrated in a few people, ” he noted. Anklesaria favored K. Gandhi ’s ap ­ proach saying “once we concede the right to FOZYA to attend as member of emotional disturbances and stress caused viduals and through groups, the phases 3 to meetings with families, matrons and teachers, leading to a diagnosis. Their main purview is scholastic disorders among children aged three to 19 years, emanating from personality disorders, —____________ the executive council... (it) does not by parental pressures, school competi- mean that other youths do not attend. ” *•— ' • Gandhi had his hand on the pulse of E. Irani ’s reasoning: “(He) wants to put the ball in the court of the anjumans s ap- tion, etc. The children are taught stress management and social techniques such as group sharing, learning to be recep ­ tive, etc leading to an increase in self-“One can't look after small, unprotected aramgahs in perpetuity. They are white elephants, a financial drain ” esteem. In case of ingrained mental or physical disorders the cases are referred to other professionals, said Sharma. The counselors have sought to sensitize the children to the work of the blind and leprosy associations, generate an aware ­ ness of AIDS, family life and family planning programs and expose them to the planetarium, the braille press, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, etc. Anjumans with individuals in need of such help were encouraged to send beyond the nalla. The matter reached them to Bombay as it was not possible the collector ’.s court and while the mu- lor the short staffed program to extend nicipality wa.s stopped from building its service to the mofussil. Awareness and appreciation of such service is still a long way away, how ­ ever. As Sharma noted, when parents received a letter from Deolali regarding located on another property. Master re ­ hear of a child ’s need tor counseling, encroachment on their aramgah land, lated that after their closure in 1991 the they vehemently object and ask, “Is my Responding with a letter to the collector boys’ hostel was handed over to the C. J. child mad? B. Dastur noted that the within 24 hours, the BPP told the Trust. “They now want the girls ’ hos- psychological barrier to counseling was anjuman to keep vigil and bear part of tel, ” said Master but^he matter is pend- much less in Bombay than in other areas the legal cost. There has been no re- ing because the BPP needs access to the and spoke ofthe high incidence of sexual sponse from the collector or the anjuman Domestic Science Institute where it*is abuse of children and the need to pull despite reminders. Anklesaria suggested them out of their introspective shell. While Anklesaria spoke of the BPP’s disbursements under its multiheaded social schemes, the Federation was par ­ ticularly enthused by the news that Parsi girl, Kismet Turel, may have made it to the final rung of the Indian Admin ­ istrative Service (IAS) selection ladder thanks to the BPP’s project thal finances special training for the professions for those obtaining more than 75 percent marks at the Higher Secondary Certifi ­ cate (HSC) level. While the BPP has spent over a lakh of rupee.s in training hopefuls for entry into IAS and military service, Anklesaria noted than an IAS officer at the peak of his/her career can do much more for the community than a few lakh rupees and hoped that the BPP would continue to try to get Parsi youths Karanjawal la who was looking after the into governmental service at all levels. Balsara spoke of the village talati as more powerful than the Prime Minister, with a tremendous income and Ankle ­ saria immediately interposed, “Get me five persons willing to opt for talati/ mamlatdar. I’ll get the BPP to help them. ” Another high ranking Parsi in gov ­ ernment service is Manijeh Kherawala, a senior member of the revenue service who Masani believes is on the level of the commissioner. Defunct anjumans In the absence of Sohrab Katpitia, the chief executive of lhe Surat Parsi Panchayat(SPP) whois the Federation ’s one-man committee on defunct anju ­ mans, K. Gandhi provided a synopsis. In Jodhpur the anjuman had an alter ­ cation with the local municipal corpora ­ tion which sought to build a municipal hall over a iiallei (stream) which flows through anjuman property while the anjuman wanted to acquire surplus land suggested they look after it. Taleyarkhan and Masani brought up the matter of the Gholvad hostels. The five-acre plot held the BPP’s C. J. boys’ hostel which was closed seven years ago for want of beneficiaries. The same hap- added. Dick referred to the Navroze jashan and dinner and Farvardian jashan that the community traditionally holds. He also spoke of the over one acre land of the Itarsi aramgah where a body was placed a month ago. There is another aramgah at Hoshangabad where the wall has been broken in and the bricks uti ­ lized by miscreants. Bhopal being the closest anjuman to Hoshangabad, Dick the hall on anjuman land, the anjuman was unable to acquire the surplus land. B. Daslur reported that the BPP had penedinthecaseoftheC. J. girls ’ hostel received a letter from Deolali regarding encroachment on their araingah land. within 24 hours, the BPP told the anjuman to keep vigil and bear part of the legal cost. There has been no re- maintaining two people at an annual cost of 1.25 lakhs without any returns. There is no response from the Cowasji Jehangir family to the BPP request, said Master. Tamboly revealed that the WZO had prepared a scheme for these institu ­ tions five years ago but Cowasji Jehan ­ gir ’s sons did not respond. “Recently that the BPP contact Bejon Desai, trustee of Boys’ Town public school in Nasik. At Bhavnagar there have been alle ­ gations about the sale of the Parsi club land. Katpitia ’s investigations have re ­ vealed no cause for the Federation to intervene but has endorsed the belief that the land was gifted to the BPP in the they called us to ask if we were stifl event of the original use being discon ­ tinued. Two Parsis of Bhavnagar have taken up the matter to prevent the others municipality ’s decision to build toilet from disposing of the property and the BPP may join in the action, noted K. Gandhi. The Tarapore dokhma property trust which P. Irani is investigating is be ­ lieved to own five acre.s of chickoo farms. He will keep Katpitia informed as more material comes his way. interested but we said ‘No.”’ When the BPP became aware of the blocks outside the Dadysett Atash Beh- ram it addressed a tetter to the municipal commissioner which was personally delivered by Tirandaz,^informed B. Dastur. There was also the specter of mounting garbage outside the Atash Behram and the BPP’s Adil Crawford, Dastoor and Ratan Lalkaka, chief ex ­ ecutive, Dadysett Charity, went to Mr com ­ missioner Girish Gokhale to protest. A. Irani suggested that pictures of the atash be painted on the outer wall to prevent such misuse. “We have a defunct anjuman com ­ mittee but no clear cut policy on what to do with those properties, ” complained Rustomji. Referring to small, unpro ­ tected aramgahs in UP, Haryana and Disaanjuman property had fractured his Waghmare, PA to the municipal arm but was now back in commission to proceed with the necessary judicial pro­ ceedings. Masani referred to two properties in Khandwa, a house and an aramgah where the case was lost in the lower court due to the failure of the man in whose name it was filed to go into the witness box. There are Rs 48,000 with Rajkot which it not used tor ghambars or relief of Rajasthan, Rustomji remarked, “One poverty are earmarked for the SPP, he can ’t look after them in perpetuity. 40 Parsiana November 1998 4i They are white elephants, a financial drain, ” and urged the council to address the problem. Clubwala cautioned against a hasty tion for Federation delegates was scrapping of the old aramgahs. “North quashed by Balsara who repeated what American Zoroastrians are becoming the 84-year-old general had to say about conscious of their roots. They may take it: ‘“Don ’t bother about me. I’ll live as exception if their grandparents ’ graves are disposed of.” Dick suggested that the names ofthe deceased be published in Jam-e-Jamshed and the surrounding land sold. Gandhi noted that the de ­ scendants of the dead in the Bhopal aramgah are unknown “and even where we do know (who the descendants are) and write to them, there ’s no response. Rustomji is asking Parsi children had received admission in general colleges if 50 to ioo ”-year° administered by Gujarati GYnwaifa old graves can be disposed of.” Gan ­ dhi suggested that where descendants were not forthcom ­ ing the anjuman could take a decision on its own. “If today you don ’t sell the land someone may usurp (it) and sell it. (Either way) sentiments are defiled. ” It was decided to publish the names in the Fed Newsletter after which the anjuman concerned could sell the land. A. Nargolwala suggested that unem ­ ployed Parsis could be banded together, Farrokh Rustomji, Adil Nargolwala and trained and sent to salvage Zoroastrian property in places where no Zoroastrian population exists. “You could get rev ­ enue from the land and provide employ ­ ment. ” But K. Gandhi said the problem was to find young people willing to do the job. He felt the job was best left to local bodies to undertake. trusts on the basis of their mother tongue being Gujarati Sanjan aavo Balsara, who has been associated with Sanjan ’s Rohintan Davierwalla in the annual commemoration of Sanjan Day, urged the Federation to hold its next meet in Sanjan so that upcountry del ­ egates could also participate in the me ­ morial day celebrations. Normally a half ­ day celebration withjashan and ghambar, this year Field Marshal S am Manekshaw has accepted their invitation to be the guest of honor, said Balsara. He ex ­ pected a total turnout of 10,000 Zoroas ­ trians this year, many hopefully from abroad, to celebrate the arrival of Parsis Captain, Zelda Mistry, Mehrab in India and sought cooperation and funding from Federation members. Balsara, who said the Devka and Dahanu anjumans will join Sanjan and Saronda as cohosts, hoped it would be a match ­ making camp on a “world scale. ” Reservations regarding accommoda ­ tion for Federation delegates anyone else. ’” The invitation has been accepted with Anklesaria describing the “fine gesture (as) a typical example of what a small anjuman can do. ” Those attending the Federation meet ­ ing were: Dolat Debara from Agra; Porus Karanjawalla from Ahmedabad; Pervez Mehta from B ardol i ; Cyrus Coo- per and Farhad Wadiafrom Baroda; Sarosh and Pilloo I from Bharuch; DaraPavri from Bhopal; Jam ­ shed Guzder, Minoo Shroff, Kavarana, Dinshaw Mehta, Dadi Engineer, Rustom Tiran ­ daz, Dinshaw Tamboly, Behram Laskari, Behram Dastur, Sheroo Master, Adil Crawford and Gool Kias from Bombay; Khurshed Pastakia and Noshir Paghdiwalla from Borivli; Nauzer Batliwala from Calcutta; Banoogoshasp Irani from Dahanu; Keki Gandhi, Silloo Homi Gandhi from Delhi; Bomi Heer ­ jee from Indore; Aspi Irani and Pervez Irani from the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman; Ronnie Dick and Gulnaz Dick from Jhansi; Nariman Mogrelia from Madras; Behram and Dolly Masani, Kerman and Firoza Marker, Urvakshi Bhote and Yasmin Bhote from Mhow; DrThrity Patel from Nagpur; Dara Irani, Eruch Irani, Firdous Kayani, Navaz and Sarosh Palkhiwala and Nazneen Vankadia from Poona; Homi Palsetia, Nariman Balsara, Freddy Balsara, Faranak Balsara, Frenaz Balsara and Dinshi Patel from Saronda; Jehangir Bisney from Secunderabad; Rustom Cursetjee, Pervez Bhesania and Rusi Gandevia from Thana; Commodore Jal Postwalla from Vishakhapatnam; Mani Clubwala from south zone; Rustom Anklesaria from west zone. Homi Taleyarkhan was a special invitee. Adil Maneckshaw, Urvashi Marolia, Delzad Nargolwala, Vinifer Gandhi, Merzeen Aga, Friya Balsara and Cyrus Debara were youth observers from Bombay. The press was represented by Parsiana. Always remember ^IcHHiTATA f c^aniBATA ig^^HiKHAMBATA Ketayun & Bomi 22/A, Wellington Terrace Wellington Street, Bombay 400002 Tel No: 2069636,2057242 Pager No: 9602-104007 Dorrabji’s JERROZ HOTEL Under Cliff Bungalow, Ring Road, near Parsi Fire Temple Panchgani ^2805 Phone; (91) (02168) 40238 Home for the aged Deolali Of special interest to senior Parsi citizens Senior members of the Parsi community — age-group 60 and above — are invited to take advantage of the homely comforts of the Senior Citizens ’ Home at Dr Bahadurji Sanatorium, Lam Road, Deolali — a place where their welfare and comfort are the main concerns. Healthy weather conditions. Absolutely new construction. Living with dignity. Common and separate accommodations are offered at very reasonable charges Apply mentioning age, health condition and accommodation desired to: The Trustees Dr Bahadurji Sanatorium Deolali C/o Kalyaniwalla and Mistry Chartered Accountants Maneckji Wadia Building, Fort Mumbai 400023 41 Parsiana November 1998HISTORY Gujarat Parsis: Near and yet apart — 6 Knotted in gifts Marriage time was a happy occasion for the bride who received gifts from her in-laws on 21 occasions ! 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 cawing of a crow is supposed to be the harbinger of bad news are some of the superstitions frequently repeated among Zoroastrians. What may not be as well known is the notion that the spasm of breath in sneezing or in yawning is the work of an evil spirit which should be countered with the words “Broken be ahriman. ” And that a drawn tooth or cut nails are to be buried four inches below the ground whilst reciting the sacred texts. Insights into the life-style, value sys­ tems, code of conduct, performance of elaborate ceremonies among the Parsis of Gujarat in the latter part of the 19th century can be had from perusing the Bombay Gazetteer. The relevant chap ­ ters of the compendium which had been sent to us by the noted Bombay dentist Dr Dinshaw F. Boga have been edited and are being carried over seven instal ­ ments of Parsiana. 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 flourishing along the Malabar coast, recalled the second 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 amongst them. The dress and ornaments worn by the priests and laity, the nature of theirdwell- 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 'o the evil spirit, it was stated therein. Their religious beliefs, their mode of celebrating auspicious occasions and feasts were referred to in the fourth episode. In the midst of this rejoicing they were also enjoined to observe a code of behavior that prescribed wear ­ ing of sudreh-kusti and covering the head and feet at all times, thanking God before every meal and keeping silence whilst eating! The customs accompanying first pregnancies, births and navjotes were detailed in the fifth instalment. When a much awaited male child was born, in ­ stead of the child, some cowdung was shown to the mother, supposedly in the best interests of the mother and the child. Women who were barren after years of marriage observed different vows in the expectation of improving their fertility. Elaborate were the marriage rituals too and as notes this 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 occa ­ sions, but the girl ’s side had to recipro ­ cate 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 death no food was cooked in the house of mourning, except for dogs. To save the soul of a Parsi man who died without a male issue, it was mandatory to an ­ nounce an adoption on the uthamna day. Often too were donations to charitable causes made on this day. Village Parsis often marry theirchildren while still in infancy. In days gone by children were sometimes conditionally contracted in marriage before they were born. When two families agree in wish ­ ing their children to marry, they ex ­ change their children ’s horoscopes, which are sent to an astrologer, gener ­ ally a Parsi priest, who settles whether the marriage is likely to be fortunate. The offer of marriage may come either from the boy’s or from the girl ’s family. It is generally made by the poorer fam ­ ily. If both families approve of thematch and the stars are favorable, the marriage is agreed to. Soon after on a lucky day, the women of the boy’s family go to the girl ’s to return her horoscope. They take with them a suit of clothes, silver foot ornaments for the girl, sugarcandy, curds and fish as emblems of good luck, and present the dress to the girl in front of a lighted ghee-t&A lamp into which a ru ­ pee is dropped. The cost of the clothes ranges from Rs 15 to Rs 100 and of the ornaments from Rs 10 to Rs 75. The bearers of these presents are entertained by the girl ’s mother with sweetmeats and a few rupees are presented to each, . the total varying in value from Rs 15 to Rs 30. According to her means the girl ’ s mother sends her future son-in-law a silver, a gold or a diamond ring, a suit of clothes, and Rs 5 to Rs 25, in cash. This completes the betrothal .v^hich though not legally is practically binding. During the uncertain interval between the betrothal and the marriage presents of fish and other tokens of goodwill pass between the families. On a lucky day 10 to 15 days before the marriage comes the turmeric-pounding ceremony. At both houses kinswomen meet and choose four young married and un widowed girls to pound turmeric and shake it in a winnowing fan, while songs are sung. The time between the turmeric-pound ­ ing and the marriage day is set apart for merrymaking and during these days no ceremonies are performed in honor of . the dead. About eight days before the marriage day comes the booth-building or niandav ceremony. A Parsi with a 42 Parsiana November 1998shawl or a woman ’s silk robe wrapped round his head and a red powder mark on his brow, digs a pit near the entrance to each house, some silver and gold are thrown into the pit, and mango and samri (prosopis spicigera) twigs are planted in it. Red and yellow marks are made on the wall and near the hole frankincense is burned and songs are sung. Either before or after the turmeric ­ pounding, sometimes even on the mar ­ riage day, the adarni or inviting cer ­ emony is performed. On the adarni day the mother of the boy with kinswomen and friends and with music goes to the girl ’s and dresses the girl in clothes and ornaments. The girl ’s mother entertains before, and bathe them with fresh water, the party with sweatmeats and presents the boy’s near kinswomen with dresses. After they leave, a party of kinswomen and friends set out from the girl ’s with unwidowed girls, and carried seven times clothes for the boy who in return pre ­ sents the girl ’s mother with a dress. Next day the girl ’s mother returns this dress to the boy’s mother accompanying it with a few rupees, as it is thought wrong for the girl ’s parents to receive presents from the boy’s side. On the third day before the wedding a suit of clothes and a large silver coin, a Persian rial, a Mexican dollar, or a five-franc piece, are sent to the bride, who wears the coin round her neck till the marriage ceremonies are over. To­ wards evening the women of the family seat the boy and girl in front of their Before the party starts a fisherwoman holds a fish near the bridegroom for good luck respective houses, rub them with the turmeric which was pounded 15 days When the bathing is over they are seated on a wooden nail-less stool, are lifted into the house by four married and Next evening, in their own houses, the boy and the girl are again seated on stools and piles of sugar cakes and sweetbuns or polls are laid in front of them and yarn is wound round them. The sugar cakes and buns are handed round among friends and relations. A small dish of khichri, mixed rice and pulse, is cooked and in the mixture a lighted wick fed with clarified butter is set and placed near the boy or the girl. The feet of the boy or of the girl are made to rest on an earthen dish in which are a cowdung cake, a rice-biscuit sario, and a gram-biscuit papad. Along with four married girls the boy and the girl are made to eat mixed rice and pulse khichri and gram biscuits. As they rise they are made to break the earthen dish under their feet; the wick in. the pulse and rice dish is put out, and the pulse and rice is made into a ball and eaten by women as a cure for barrenness. The next day is round the lucky chalk-marks in the cen ­ ter of the hall. A basin filled with clari ­ fied butter and raw sugar is held near spent in religious rites and ceremonies them, frankincense is burnt before them, performed by priests or mobeds in honor and they are asked to foretell what the various grains will cost during the year. If the bridegroom and bride are grown up, the bridegroom ’ s turban or the bride ’s robe or sari is laid on the wooden stool yellow and red, and crowned with rice- and carried round the chalk-marks. biscuits, gram-biscuits and sugared of ancestral spirits who are called to bless the marriage. At the same time five, seven or nin^clay jars filled with water are set in a row marked with 44 Parsiana November 1998 *wheat-cakes. Some of the women hold a new sari or silk robe over the pots. One of the women beats a copper dish, and, calling them by name asks the ancestral spirits to attend. One woman comes running in barking like a dog. The other women drive her away, and with fun and laughing eat all the things they can lay their hands on. On the fourth day the marriage cer ­ emony is performed. During these four days, if the families are rich, or only on the marriage day if they are poor, large parties of friends and kinspeople are asked to dine and sup. On the day before the feast the women of the family go to their female friends and ask them to join the marriage ceremonies and feasting. The men are called by a priest, who with a list of names goes from house to house and gives the invitation. Near relations and leading members ofthe community are visited and invited by the father or some member of the family. In towns some families send printed notes of in ­ vitation. At dawn on the wedding day the women of both families sit in their houses on a carpet, singing songs describing the festivities and asking blessings. At their homes the bride and bridegroom un ­ dergo the same purification as when they were invested with the sacred shirt and cord. At both houses carpets are laid and rows of benches are set in the streets and neighboring verandahs. About four The bridegroom ’s father seats the bride on his lap if she IS a child in the afternoon the male guests dressed in white robes reaching to their feet and girdle round the waist with a long white cloth, begin to come and take their seats on the carpets and benches. While the guests are gathering, a party of women come from the bride ’s to the bridegroom ’s, one of them bearing in a large tray presents of clothes and a silver or copper-brass hair-comb and a pot of curds, and another carrying, one over the other, three water-pots filled with water, the topmost crowned by a coco­ nut. The water pots and lhe coconut are marked with red and yellow powder. This procession is called sopara. While they stand at the door of the house the bridegroom ’ s mother or some other near relation waves over the head of the present-bringer a small tray filled with water and with a few grains of rice in it, throws the water at her feet and breaks an egg and a coconut. When they have entered the bridegroom is called to dip his fingers in the water goblets, and while he dips them he drops one to five rupees in the water which belong to the bride ’s sister. The women give and re ­ ceive presents and return to the bride ’s. Between five and six in the evening the male guests who have met at the bride ­ groom ’s with native music, and some ­ times in the larger towns with music played on European instruments, follow the bridegroom and high priest to the bride ’s. Before the party starts a fisherwoman appears and holds a fish near the bridegroom for good luck, and for her service is given a few rupees. When the bridegroom begins to move, a coconut, a few sugar-cakes and dry dates are waved round his head and thrown away. The bridegroom, who is called Var- Raja or the marriage chief, is dressed in new clothes, a MaBulipatam cloth tur ­ ban, a long white robe falling to, his ankles with a strip of white cloth about a foot broad wound many times round ^=55^ % 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 Ahmedabad -- Calcutta -- Jaipur -- Kandla -- Ludhiana -- Nhava Sheva -- New Delhi — Surat 46 Parsiana November 1998 *r i ments and reward their sharpness by laughter and applause. When the rice- father seats the bride on his lap if she is a child, and presents her with gold and silver ornaments. After this the wedding throwing is over the bride and bride ­ ceremony begins. Bouquets and betel leaf are handed to his waist, a shawl thrown over his left arm, a garland of flowers round his neck, a red mark on his brow, and a bouquet and coconut in his right hand. Sometimes the bridegroom goes to the bride ’s on horseback, his place in the procession being after the male and be ­ fore the female guests. The female guests follow the men, the bridegroom ’s mother leading them holding in her hands a large brass or silver salver containing a paro or paper-cone of sugarcakes, be ­ tel nuts and leaves, dry dates and rice with a suit of clothes for the bride and carpets, and in the center the bride and her? ” “And have you chosen him? ” They jewels generally worth Rs 300 to Rs bridegroom are seated on chairs facing answer in Persian or if they are too 1,000. At every street corner, to appease each other. Their right hands are tied young their mothers answer for them “I evil spirits, acoconut is waved round the together with cotton thread and a cur- have chosen. ” bridegroom ’s head, broken, and thrown tain-like cloth is held between them. When the marriage blessing is over away. On reaching the bride ’s the bride- One priest posts himself near the bride the bride ’s sister under the pretext of groom is led to the door, the men of his party take their seats on carpets and reciting prayers they pass twisted thread steals one of his shoes and does not let it benches, and the women stand behind seven times round the bride ’sand bride- go till she is given a rupee. The bride- the bridegroom at the door. At the thresh- groom ’s chairs. When this is over the groom, leaving the bride at her father ’s old, as the bridegroom enters, the bride ’s bride and bridegroom are shown a small house, starts for his own house with his mother waves seven times round his basin containing clarified butter and friends and a bright array of torches. A head a copper-brass plate with rice and molasses, one of the priests drops feast is given at both houses and about water in it, throws the contents under his benjamin on a fire censer, and the bride midnight the bridegroom goes back to feet, breaks an egg and a coconut, and and bridegroom throw rice over each the bride ’s with somefriqpds. The whole welcomes him into the house asking other. Whoever is quickest in throwing marriage ceremony described above is him to set his right foot first and puts the rice is supposed to be likely to rule, repeated. When this is over the ring on his finger. The bridegroom ’s The guests closely watch their move- bridegroom ’sand bride ’s robes are knot- groom are set side by side, two priests stand before them with a witness on each side holding brass plates full of Q . ¦ rice. The two priests pronounce the DOUC|U0lS a.nCI marriage blessing in old Persian and l©clf 3.r© hand©Cl Sanskrit, at each sentence throwing rice ,, , on the bride ’s and the bridegroom ’s to all mal© gu©sts heads. At intervals in the midst of the blessing the bridegroom and bride are asked in Persian, “Have you chosen all male guests. The women sit round on each other. Their right hands are tied together with cotton thread and a cur ­ tain-like cloth is held between them. One priest posts himself near the bride and another near the bridegroom. While washing the bridegroom ’s feet with milk, reciting prayers they pass twisted thread seven times round the bride ’s and bride ­ groom ’s chairs. When this is over the bride and bridegroom are shown a small basin containing clarified butter and molasses, one of the priests drops benjamin on a fire censer, and the bride and bridegroom throw rice over each the rice is supposed to be likely to rule. The guests closely watch their move ­ With Best Wishes From Mr Rusy M. Shroff, M.B.E. and Mrs Purviz R. Shroff 47 Parsiana November 1998ted together and the whole party returns with them to the bridegroom ’s. The bride and bridegroom are made to feed each spread, and, on the leaf, the servants lay other from a dish of rice, curds and sugar called dahi kumlo, literally curds, and they hunt for a ring which each in turn hides in the dish and then gamble to show who is quicker and luckier. On the marriage evening friends and latifolia) liquor and the toast ‘Glory to Avanjashan;on Adarjashan;onBahman relations present shawls and rupees to ............................ the parents of the bridegroom and bride. The presents are carefully noted that on like occasions suitable return presents may be made. On the eighth morning after the wed ­ ding the wife goes to her parents ’ house and returns in the evening with a large vessel filled with wheat having its mouth marry his son lor less than Rs 400 or his Among Parsis polygamy is forbid- coveied with silk. From both houses daughter for less than Rs 250. A middle- den.Theauthorityofreligionandcus- sweet-bread and other choice dishes are class marriage costs Rs 800 to Rs 1,200 tom which was against polygamy was taken to the sea or to a riverside and and a rich marriage Rs 1,500 to Rs often set aside till polygamy was made offered to the water spirits. In the evening 4,000. During the first year after the illegal under the Parsi Marriage and at both houses relations and Iriends are betrothal on 21 occasions presents are Divorce Act (XXV) of 1865. When a feasted. On the first Behram, that is the sent to the girl ’s house by the boy’s wife or a husband dies remarriage is 20th day ofthe month after the wedding, parents and on five occasions presents allowed and practised. The marriage of friends and relations are called to a least, arc sent to the boy’s house by the girl ’s a bachelor and a maid and the marriage No chairs or tables are used at wedding parents. The 21 occasions on which pre- of a widower and a maid are called feasts. A strip of cloth half ayard wide is s’ ' ’ " ' spread on the ground and the guests take boy's parents are, on the betrothal day their places in a row. The women and children dine first and when they have dined the men are called. Before each marriage day; on the varni or the fourth guest a piece of plantain or other leaf is day preceding the marriage day; on the y navjote or initiation; on the evening of a portion of each course. When all the the marriage day; on the midnight ofthe courses are served the guests begin to eat. While the male guests are eating, small copper cups of the size of wine birthday; on the first new-moon day; on glasses arc filled with inowra (bassia JamshediNavroze; on Meherjashan; on marriage day; on the varovar or eighth day after the marriage; on the husband ’s God ’ is drunk. As soon as this toast is jashan; on Zoroaster ’s anniversary; on drunk the cups are refilled and four more toasts, ‘The Bride and Bride ­ groom, ’ ‘The Fire-Temple, ’ ‘The Host ’ and ‘The Guests ’ generally follow. What with presents of dresses and ornaments, with feasting and other charges, the poorest Parsi can hardly Pateti; and the husl^and ’s birthday, marry hi.s son for less than Rs 400 or his daughter for less than Rs 250. A middle ­ class marriage costs Rs 800 to Rs 1,200 and cl rich marriage Rs 1,500 to Rs Pateti; on Khordadsal; on Holi; on Co­ conut day; on Dassera; and on Diwali. The five occasions on which presents of clothes are sent to the boy’s house by the girl ’s parents are: the navjote; the adarni -, the evening of the marriage day ; betrothal on 21 occasions presents are sent to the girl ’s house by the boy’s parents and on five occasions presents arc sent to the boy’s house by the girl ’s parents. The 21 occasion.s on which pre ­ sents are sent to the girl ’s house by the Shahazan or royal rrferriage; the remar ­ riage of a widow, whether she marries a bachelor or a widower, is called Cha- karzan marriage or Nantra. These are when returning the horoscope; on the adarni or the fifth day preceding the 48 Parsiana November 1998 Kaiser-E-Hind, 300 Pehn Nariman Street, Behind Reserve Bank of India, Fort, Bombay 400001. The Iranian names of boys and girls along with their meanings which originally appeared in Parsiana have now been reprinted in an attractive 24-page booklet. The book, which is priced at Rs 40, is available on sale at: Faredoon and Burjor Sandalwood Shop, Princess Street, Bombay 400002. Union Press, 13, Homji Street, Bombay 400001. THE PARSIANA BOOK OF IRANIAN NAMES Do 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 fora 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, Vft. C & K. Published in the public interest by Parsiana *the only two forms of marriage at present in use among Gujarat Parsis. From the Revayets or precepts, it seems that in earlier times there were five forms of marriage: Padshazan — the royal wed ­ ding — the same as Shahazan, that is the first marriage of boy and girl. It is recog ­ nized in both worlds. The merit of good deeds performed by a child born of this marriage rebound to the parents. Yukzan: If a man has a daughter and no son the marriage of the daughter is called Yukzan, because her son will be adopted by her father and made his heir. Chakarzan or the marriage of a widow with a wid ­ ower. Setarzan: If an unmarried boy dies, a girl is at once united to him as his wife and their names are pronounced together as husband and wife in the boy’s funeral service. The girl can re ­ marry but only in the widow marriage form. Khudash-rae-zan literally girl ’s choice is a marriage made not by the parents but by the girl ’s choice. The Revayets order the high priest to unite such a pair even though the parents object. After the birth of a child from this union a second marriage ceremony should be performed. The second cer ­ emony is given the rank of Shahazan or Padshazan, that is of a first marriage. A widow ’s marriage differs from a maiden ’s marriage in the following par ­ ticulars: The ceremony is perforiped once, not twice and at midnight instead of in the evening. During the ceremony the bride should be helped by a remar ­ ried widow and not by a virgin or an unwidowed woman. The sari or robe which the bride wore during the cer ­ emony is washed as soon as the cer ­ emony is over, as it is unlucky for any one to use it before it is washed; while the blessings are being repeated the rice is thrown from below instead of from above as in the royal or maiden ’s wed ­ ding. The dress to be presented to the bride is not taken in a salver as in the maiden ’s wedding but in a deep basin, so that it may not be seen. When bachelor marries a widow, on the evening before the wedding he is married with Shahazan or royal rites to a twig of the samri (prosopis spicigera) tree and at midnight is married to the widow with the second marriage rites. No children of the remarrying pair may be present during the remarriage ceremony as it i.s believed that if any are present disagree ­ ments will arise between the children and the stepfather or stepmother. To be continued a •k The Best Professional Services 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. ? Vipul Shah Tel: 4156791/92 Fax: 4124824 Agra Parsi Anjuman Welcomes all Zoroastrians to the fully renovated dharmsala in the city of the Taj * * * Very reasonably priced rooms and attached toilets with no service charges * All facilities within reach Well connected to railway station, bus stand and taxi stand Wholesome meals and personal choice catering * Book in advance and enjoy a memorable holiday For bookings contact Manager Parsi Dharmsala, Ajmer Road, Pratabpura, Agra 282001 President: Lion Hoshang Debara Secretary: Dr Rati Khambata We never take our guests and breath-taking views for granted i- ij OS « Lord ’s Central Hotel Matheran 410102 Matheran Telephone 021483-0228 Fax 021483-0595 Bombay telephone 3867776 49 Parsiana November 1998MILESTONES The age of Zoroastrian brides — as listed in this issue — ranged lives each. Among the isolated cases registered in October were deaths due to anemia, gastro- hage and shock took a toll of two between 21 and 38 years, the arithmetic mean (the total num ­ ber of individual ages divided by intestinal bleeding, haemate- the total number of brides) being mesis, dehydration, malnutrition, 28 years. The corresponding fig ­ ures for the grooms were 25 and 54 years, averaging at 34 years. As compared to 21 babies born in October there were 74 Zoroastrians who died in Bom ­ bay. Twenty-seven patients suc ­ cumbed to heart disease of whom 10 were above the age of 80. The other killers were pneumonia/ lung disease (nine), cancer (seven) and old age/general de­ bility (six). Three victims each fell prey to brain disease and bronchitis whereas pancreatitis, diabetes, liverdisease, hyperten ­ sion, septicemia and haemorr- kidney failure and head injury. The youngest and eldest to breathe their last were both fe ­ males, one five-and-a-half and the other 98 years old. The Zoro ­ astrian life expectancy at birth for October, in Bombay, was TI years. The data on births, marriages and deaths has been compiled from information supplied by various newsletters and anju ­ mans in India and abroad, courts and hospitals. This information is not always complete or con ­ sistent: we are unable to carry data from areas where the anju- ALLAHABAD DI ED Savak Nanavati (78), residing at 8/B, South Rd, 211001 on April 29, 1998 BANGALORE MA RR IE D Mehernaaz Khambatta of Bombay, daughter of Katy and Beheram, and Ruzfian Choksey, son of Pervin and Heroize; October 30 BOMBAY BOR N A boy to Kashmira and Zubin Contractor; September 26 A boy, Jehan, to Kainaz and Khurshed Daruvala, brother to Delna; October 1 A girl to Meher and Farokh Cooper; October 2 A boy to Villoo and Amar Sinhji; October 5 A boy to Farzana and Percy Dhanbhoora; October 7 A boy to Roxan and Homyar Mistry; October 7 A girl to Dinaz and Zubin Shroff, October 7 A girl to Armin and Jamshed Daruwala; October 11 A boy to Zia and Ashad Mehta; October 12 A girl to Tanaz and Abel Pithawalla; October 13 A girl to Diana and Raj Tyagi; October 14 A boy to Shirin and Sam Jijina; October 15 A girl to Shernaz and Homyar Master; October 19 A girl to Jasmin and Zarksis Parabia; October 22 A girl to Delna and Jimmy Mistry, sister to Pearl; October 23 A girl to Farzana and Sorab Madan; October 24 A boy to Khurshid and Khurshed Bharucha; October 25 A boy to Putli and Minoo Bharda; October 30 A boy to Maneck and Yazdi Pundole; October 31 A girl, Siinran, to Sanober and Porus Tampal; October 31 A boy to Rashna and Dhanji Tangri; October 31 A boy to Khushnum and Shahbehram Zaq; October 31 MA RR IED Shehrnaz Rusi Pardiwala and Kaiuinarz. Sohrab Sethna of Poona; October 10 Binaifer Maneck Mistry^ and Fardun Hormasji Powvala', October 11 Dilzeen Zubin Lilaowala and Ashtad 2^1 Engineer; October 24 Yasmin Pervez Aibara of Surat and Maneck Eddie Behramkaindin; October 25 Parizad Minoo Patel and Firdosh Dhunjisha Subawalla; October 26 DIED Dosahhai (Dossu) Naoroji 50 Parsiana November 1998 mans do not furnish the particu- Freny Pirojshaw Dumasia lars; the birth figures for Bombay (79), B, The Reward, Tardeo are supplied by four hospitals — births in suburban hospitals and private nursing homes are not included unless individuals send us information together with a copy of the birth certificate. There may be an inadvertent repetition of names in the marriage list when a civil marriage precedes a religious ceremony. In the break ­ up of deaths according to ill ­ nesses, especially of the elderly, death is often due to a combina ­ tion of several diseases. If readers have any births/mar- riages/deaths they would like pub- Dadar T.T., 400014; October 7 lished, some proof to ensure the Aspy Rustomji Bulsara (81), veracity of the report would be required. We are sure our readers would appreciate this requirement 400007; October 8 and cooperate with us. Jaloo Rustom Choksi (76), G/5, Godrej Baug, Off Napean Sea Rd, 400026; October 8 Meheru Kekhashru Contractor (92), D-11, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd,^yculla, 400027; October 8 Soonamai Jalejar Hataria (85), 16/2, Rustom Baug,' Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; October 8 Savak Babu Mistry (87), King George Home (Ashram), Tulsi Pipe Rd, Mahalaxmi, 400011; October 8 Tehmtan Nariman Nanavati (71), 201/A, Mangal Murti, M. B. Est, Virar(W), 401303; October 8 Noshir Jehangir Irani (53), 221, Haveliwalla Bldg, Bora Bazar St, Fort, 400001; October 10 Freny Pirojshaw Dumasia Rd, 400007; October 6 Ker si Dossabhai Manekji (58), 8, Goolrukh Hsg Soc, T.P.S. IV, 4th Rd, Bandra (W), 40(X)50; October 6 Parviz Edulji Bharucha (70), 606, Everest, J. P. Rd, Versova, Andheri (W), 400061; October 7 Jehangir Sorabji Contractor (71), C/o E. S. Pochee, 5-B, Sanjana Apts, 66, Carter Rd, Bandra, 400050; October 7 Rusi Ratanshaw Contractor (90), Jame Jamshed Bldg, 4-A, New Duba'sh Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, Bharucha 603, Namdar Hse, Hill Rd, Bandra (W), 400050; October 1 Sam Burjorji Jesia (64), 20/7, Panthaky Baug, S. V. Rd, Andheri (E), 400069; October 1 Bahadur Ratansha Balsara (65), Room no 39, Hirabai Petit Chawl, Grant Rd, 400007; October 2 Saman Cavasji Durbari (90), Dadyseth Hse, Siri Rd, Malabar Hill, 400006; October 2 Najoo Homi Engineer (83), Sunil Raj Co-op Hsg Soc, Kopri Clny, Thana (E), 400603; October 2 Khorshed Bomanji Irani F13), 258/D, The Retreat Comp, Bellasis Rd, 400008; October 2 Meherwanji Erechshaw Ratan Nowrojee Nallaseth (75), D-9, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; October 2 Jehangir Rustomji Irani (84), Dubash Bldg, Kashinath Rd, Tardeo, 400034; October 3 Thrity Behram Tarapore (74), 3/79, Kailash Apts, S. V. Rd, Borivli (W), 400092; October 3 Faramroze Bozorg Chami (67), Nana Bldg, Lamington Rd, 40(X)08; October 4 Coomi Ratanshaw Mistry (85), 17/303, A. M. Dinshaw and Jamasp Tata Block, 30th Rd, Bandra, 400050; October 4 Motu Dara Jehangir (91), Patropolis, 157, S. B. Rd, Colaba, 400005; October 5 Motafram (71), Stxiety Bldg, 655, Firdoshi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 10 Alamai Rustomji Todiwala (^1), 36, Irani Bldg, Balaram St, 400007; October 10 Burjor Ardeshir Bharucha (45), Amadi Bglw, 69/F, Breach Candy, 400026; October 11 Minocher (Mirtoo) Erachsha Mukadam (il), K-10, Dalal Est, Bombay Central, 400008; October 11 Rustom Ardeshir Dalal (85), 121, Acropolis A, Little Gibbs Rd, Malabar Hill, 400006; October 12 Dhunjisha Godrej Gandhi (76), 101, Vacha Gandhi Bldg L *no 2, Gamdevi, 400007; October 12 Daulat Pirojshah Gonda (79), C-13, Malbari Bldg, New Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 400007; October 12 Mithibai Manchershaw Divecha (98), 3/7-C, Tata Clny, Sir Ratan Tata Rd, Tardeo, 400034; October 13 Homi Meherwanji Ke rawala (82), 18/C, Marzban Clny, Gilder Lane, 400008; October 14 Rase hid Ratan Majai(36), The Panorama, 44, Pali Hill, Bandra, 400050; October 14 Dinshaw Fakirji Wadia (89), 284/15, Toddiwalla Bldg, Dr B. Ambedkar Rd, Parel, 400012; October 14 Gustad Burjorji Billimoria (65), Q-10, S. B. Bharucha Baug, Lallubhai Park Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; October 15 Freny Dara Daruwalla (80), Room no 53, Panday Sanatorium, Wodehouse Rd, Col aba, 400005; October 15 Nariman Dadabhoy Bhagat (79), F. S. Parukh Dharamshala, Hughes Rd, 400007; October 17 Jiji Maneckji Malia (79), 5, Sayaji Bldg, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; October 17 Noshir Sorabji Pochkhanawala (80), Buena Vista, Pochkhanawala Rd, Worli, 400025; October 17 Gool Shapurji Sidhva (92), 2/12A, Shanti Niketan, 11, Padamji Rd, 400004; October 17 Jalu Tehmurasp Shroff (71), B-14, Meherzin, Wodehouse Rd, Colaba, 400005; October 17 Banoobai Dinshaw Irani (83), Chaman Chmbs, 1st Marine St, 400002; October 18 Jamshed Rustom Irani (76), Readymoney Bldg no 2, Ratan Tata Rd, Tardeo, 400034; October 19 Kati Navroji Mehta (85), Patkar Nivas, Edulji Rd, Charai, Thana (W), 400601; October 19 Jalamai Bamansha Pithawala (84), Arya Samaj Bhavan, 232, Bazar Gate St, Fort, 400001; October 19 Freni Sam Dinshaw (78), 2/207, Pradyu Sadan, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Matunga, 400019; October 20 FIGURES AT A GLANCE* Bombay This issue 1998* India This issue 1998* World This issue 1998* 51 Parsiana November 1998 BIRTHS Boys Girls 12 10 86 73 1 4 38 28 MARRIAGES Parsi INTERCOMMUNAL Males married out Females married out DEATHS CONSIGNED Males Females CREMATED Males Females 5 41 33 160 14 17 421 436 7 4 1 1 2 7 1 1 97 80 14 1 4 35 34 ?Running totals for 1998 (January-November issues) Overseas deaths are listed in the consigned column as Pars iana does not have a breakup of those cremated. ‘These figures pertain to information provided to or collected by Parsiana. They do not represent the total number of births, marriages and deaths in the Zoroastrian community in India and abroad. ----------------------tr--------------------- Dara Phirojsha Panthaky (60), 14/5, Panthaki Baug, S. V. Rd, Andheri (E), 400069; ¦- October 28 Sherbanoo Nariman Master (83), B-2, Shapur Baug, V. P. Rd, 400004; October 29 Framroze Temuras Gorimar (76), Cuffe Castle, Cuffe Parade, 400005; October 30 Dogdo Dadabhoy Tavadia (83), Sanjana Bldg, D. Mangeshkar Marg, Near Bhatia Hospital, 4(X)026; October 30 Phiroze Savakshaw Bhansali (78), 28/A, Todiwalla Bldg, Sunmill Rd, LowerJfarel, 400013; October 31 Sapal Maneckshah Dubash (92), Adenwalla Bldg, 626, A. B. Homavazir Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 31 Shera Barjor Vakil (95), 401, Vrindavan, 32, Mount Mary Rd, Bandra, 400050; October 20 Mehra Bapuji Charna (82), S-9, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; October 21 Hormasji Dinshawji Daruwalla (88), Pavwalla Bldg, 40, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Rd, 400004; October 21 Mehroo Dorab Warden (75), Dorab Villa, 29, Perry Cross Rd, Bandra, 400050; October 21 Aloo Maneckji Dastoor (72), Dr Freny Cama Girls ’ Hostel, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; October 23 Rustomji Jehangirji Merchant (84), Razak Haven, Darabsha Lane, Off Napean Sea Rd, 400026; October 23 Fareena Vispy Kapadia (5*/2), 12/8, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; October 24 Rustom Framroze Randelia (70), Gustad Mans, Tardeo, 400007; October 25 Jehangir Pirojshah Vazifdar (81), Awabai Mans, Henry Rd, Colaba, 400005; October 25 Rustoin Khodadad Irani (80), 34, Irani Bldg, 7th Lane, Khetwadi, 400004; October 26 Dara Jalejar Mobedji (68), Room no 14, Mody Hse, Padamjee St, Grant Rd, 400004; October 26 Firoze Jehangirji Rumwala (80), 6A, Motia Mans, Motibai St, Tardeo Rd, 400007; October 26 Bachan Naoshir Vesima (77), Wimbridge Hse, 18, Sleater Rd, 400007; October 26 Gool Jal ejar Davierwala (66), 009/C-6, Bhagirathi, Lokgram, Kalyan (E), 421301; October 27 Minoo Burjorji Malegam 2, Sutrim, 10th Rd, Khar (W), 400052; October 27 Burjore Eruchshah Mehta (68), 515, Tata Clny, Tardeo, 400034; October 27 Earach Nariman Mehta (71), 21295, Habib Hse, M. S. Rd, 400007; October 27 Mehroo Soli Pajnigara (61), Room no 4, Karani Chawl, Gilder Lane, Tardeo, 400008; October 27 Mani Pheroze Dastur (87), 15-A, Shirin Manzil, Sleater Rd, 400007; October 28 Rusi (Rustom) Jehangirji Doctor (82), 12, Contractor Bldg, 30/31, Karwar St, Fort, 400001; October 28 Tehmina Kaikhushrou Katpitia Mehernosh; September 29 (95), M, Dalal Est, Lamington Rd, 400008; October 28 MADRAS DI ED Mehru Minoo Belgamvala (80), 15, Nungambakam High Rd, 600034; September 17 NAVSARI DIE D Mani Seervai, mother of Compiled by Roxana A. DriverIN MEMORIAM royal republican Arnavaz S. Mama Photos, awards, files, books and cartons full of pens jostle for attention in Homi Taleyarkhan ’s study as did the many interests and activities of his crowded life. “On the strength of his ability and nity and sagacity he will be remembered dynamism he occupied many important positions and made worthwhile contri ­ butions as a public figure, ad- I ’ letter to Taleyarkhan ’s wife ministrator, diplomat and 1 Thrity. scholar, ” attested the President 1 Chairman oftheGodrej group of India K. R. Narayanan in a ™ of companies Sohrab Godrej message to the Delhi Parsi who said he had “shared many a Anjuman (DPA). common platform on asked to tional with the late six minutes, ” began lomat, recalled howTaleyarkhan governor of Maharashtra Dr P. had to the de- C. Alexander the public con- velopment of^ourism on proper dolence meeting convened by scientific lines, ” but failed, and the sheriff of Bombay, adding, saluted his “painstaking efforts “I could have spoken for 60 fortheenvironmentandpopula- minutes and not done justice to tion control. ” Taleyarkhan ’s service to the “But for his undertaking the task, the Save UdwadaCommit- The81-year-oldformermin- tee would never have come up ister, governor and ambassa- and the Gujarat government dor “died as he would have liked best — Thrity and Honii Taleyarkhan would never have given the money ” for in harness with his boots on, ” senior the Rs 50-lakh engineering cum forestry Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustee the condolence meeting jointly convened project to save the beach at Udwada Minoo Shroff alluded to Taleyarkhan ’s by the BPP, the Federation of Parsi Zo­ peaceful passage in the course of a brief roastrian Anjumans of India (FPZAl), afternoon nap after a successful meeting the Surat Parsi Panchayat (SPP), the at the Nehru Centre in the morning, before an evening engagement which was never to be. Wreaths and flowers from high dig ­ nitaries and public bodies, letters, cards and telegrams of condolence flooded in as the news of Taleyarkhan ’s sudden demise percolated through the city and the country (two months after that fate ­ ful June 27, 1998 well over 300 letters lay neatly filed in Taleyarkhan ’s study). At a number of public condolence meet ­ ings office bearers of institutions and individuals paid homage to his memory . They bore testimony to what Alexander called his “total, unreserved involve ­ ment ” in the cause of AIDS, literacy, leprosy, TB, tourism, population con ­ trol, environment, consumer protection, the national small savings movement peatedly voiced by the diplomatic rep- and many more, apart from politics. “His commitment to protocol was including Britain, Indonesia, Poland, one of his finest qualities and it helped Italy, USA, Germany, Japan, in their him to achieve results sought, long after letters of condolence. “I always admired he had relinquished office. For his dig- as a man who played his part with deco ­ rum, ” noted the resolution adopted at the breadth of fys activities, his vigor and his enthusiasm for everything he did, ” wrote British deputy high com ­ missioner Michael Bates in a personal 52 Parsiana November 1998 ri 7 L II * Thrity and Homi Taleyarkhan from the ingress of the sea, noted BPP chairman Jamshed Guzder. Whatever the problem, be it that of the individual farmer, of bawal kathi, of the message was, ‘meet Homi. ’ Large interest or small, he dented himself Bhacca, describing Taleyarkhan as a “middle-of-the-road Zoroastrian for whom the problems of national integra ­ tion came uppermost. ” BPP trustee and WZO India presi- World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO), the Save Udwada Committee, the K. R. problems with a school, “for everything, Cama Oriental Institute, the Navsari Parsi Association, the Bombay Parsi Associa ­ tion, the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman totally, ” said SPP president Dr Sam and various other organizations and as ­ sociations. Comparing Taleyarkhan ’s white con ­ gress cap to Jawaharlal Nehru ’s ubiqui ­ tous rose, noted Gandhian Dr Usha Mehta referred to his interfaith dialogs dent Dadi Engineer recalled Taleyar- (he was chairman of the World Temple khan ’s sterling contribution of getting a of Understanding — western region) pukka road constructed from Udvada and international friendships, dubbing station to the township. Marazban him the “universal man. ” Iranian first Patrawala, who has been Taleyarkhan ’s consul Ahmed Shahveri said he will be remembered as a “good friend of this consulate, of Iran and the whole interna ­ tional family. ” It was ct sentiment re- ber of the Maharashtra government han ­ dling the tourism department, found resentatives of innumerable countries, Taleyarkhan ’s notes and comments still successor in the National Minorities Commission and is the only other Parsi since Taleyarkhan to have been a mem- L »public life as a municipal councillor, list... ” When Patrawala was minister he said he had occasion to visit the government housing colony at Kalachowki where he found a portrait of Taleyarkhan. On in ­ quiring he was told, “We got the hous ­ ing colony because of Homi Taleyarkhan when he was housing minister. He wa.s the only one to think of a housing colony for fourth and fifth grade public ser ­ vants. ” At the condolence meeting convened by the DPA, its former vice president Zal Nowsherwanji acknowledged Taleyarkhan ’s role in installing Mme Bhikhaiji Cama ’s portrait in the Central Hall of Parliament and in helping the DPA get vacant possession of additional aramgah land. It was also recalled that he had organized the import of special wool for kusti weaving from Australia to meet the local shortage. True to Mahatma Gandhi ’s imprint, Taleyarkhan was a man of “impeccable integrity, honesty, ” in all that he did, testified Alexander. “His public life was transparent, but his private life was trans ­ parent also, ” added Akbarally ’s chair ­ man F. T. Khorakiwala. Recalling Taleyarkhan ’s passion for horses and dogs (he was a very good rider and his dog routinely shared his morning por­ ridge with him, informed Thrity) ........... .. Khorakiwala noted, “A person who loves whom he animals — how can he not love human beings? ” adding that music (there was always music playing in the background) and poetry were the other pleasures in Taleyarkhan ’s busy life. The only child of Jehangir Hormusji Taleyarkhan and his wife Tehmina, Taleyarkhan proceeded to London ’s King ’s College after schooling in Panchgani and graduating from Wadia College, Poona. He did not complete his course, informs Thrity. In the words of Alexander, he “belonged to a genera ­ tion who could not help being influ ­ enced by Gandhiji — a whirlwind which blew across India and upset the minds of men by his word,s and example. ” An external symbol of that influence was the Gandhicap that Taleyarkhan adopted and preserved to the very end. Joining the Congress party — to which his low with Taleyarkhan when they vals, contesting a seat in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. “He beat me hol ­ low, ” concedes Chudasama, adding “After he won, he became one of my best friends because he had no malice in his heart. ” As wrote former prime minister I. K. were ri- borne four children, was operated. The doctors, who were sure of restoring her sight, asked her who would she like to see first when the bandage was removed. She asked to see the “minister saab who had made it all possible. ” The doctors were taken aback and tried to dissuade her saying ministers were very busy people and could not spare the time for such visits. She was in no hurry, she said. The bandage could be removed as and when the minister could spare the time. When the doctors informed Taleyarkhan about the adamant patient on their hands he was ready to be present at her bedside on demand. Thrity recalls that she was so taken up by the lady ’s request, she tagged along to witness the lady bless her husband. ‘“May you live a 100 years, ’ she told him. ” As a minister ’s wife Thrity says she accompanied him tcwparties and dinners with presidents and prime ministers. “But he would also drag me with him to the slums and villages. ” As minister of civil supplies he had to implement the policy of “state purchase ” to eliminate middlemen in the 1960s. “We travelled through every district of Maharashtra. It was amazing how they received us, with so much love. ” With Jawaharlal Nehru „ . , , , . Taleyarkhan ’s years of glory were Ik political differences when he was handpicked by Prime Min ­ ister Indira Gandhi as the first resident Indian ambassador to Libya. Summon- % with the Congress party, “All of us to --------- e was so dear have lost a very ¦ ' --------- ..... served so valiantly in various capacities, is poorer by his death. ” Taleyarkhan rose to be parliamen ­ tary secretary to then chief minister Y. B. Chavan, chief whip of the Congres; Legislative Party and its general secre ­ tary in the Legislature. Over a course of the barrel. 20 years Taleyarkhan held sway in Maharashtra as member of the Legisla- t ’ ................................ health, housing, food and civil supplies, national savings, fertilizers, fisheries, tourism, family planning and printing, several of the portfolios being held con ­ currently. As minister of health he was appalled flag on his ca^B^oth well-meant sugges- to find patients on the floor in the gov- ' • - .'’“Sges ernmenthospitals, recalls Thrity. “Some ­ how he got the funds and got more beds. He felt there shouldn ’ t be floor patients. ” valued friend. The country that he had ing the Taleyarkhans to her office Thritv ;s remembers her saying, “It ’s a challenge and that ’s why I’m sending him. Be ­ cause he ’s the only one ^ho ’s got the guts to meet it! ” She promised them every help except foreign exchange — India was then scraping the bottom of Their appointment was on the eve of ¦ ------ ------ - the Bangla Desh war and thanks to un ­ live Assembly and as its minister of friendly propaganda anti-Indian feel- and preserved to the very end. Joinin f ally never wavered — he began his It was during hL^enure thluhf fils" ings ran high not only among officialdom but also among the common people. United Nation (UN) officials there pri­ vately advised Taleyarkhan not to wear his Gandhi cap and not to fly the Indian ------- ----- —l-meant sugges ­ tions were given short shrift. Thrity says she quailed under the unrelenting hostil ­ ity of the shopkeepers who often refused to sell her the items she required until eye she gave up the tell-tale sari and donned 54 Parsiana November 1998 %sion, the only one to serve two terms there, according to Patrawala. “He took innumerable tours of India to study the patients there, organized eye camps for operations, says Thrity while she orga ­ nized the Sikkim women ’s council and with the help ofthe Social Welfare Board problems of the minorities, identified » added Patrawala. western attire to go shopping. Homi meanwhile demanded again and again for an audience with Libya ’s strongman Col Gaddaffi, until one Friday he was summoned. His driver being on his provided the local women with knitting (them) and had resolutions to suggest, weekly holiday Taleyarkhan was pro- machines, helped them set up piggeries, added Patrawala. vided Libyan transport. A long tussle schools, play centers, hostels for women. At various points ofhis long career ensued, narrates Thrity, when In his letter R. Narayanan, a former he had been member of various Indian Taleyarkhan demanded that the car fly the Indian flag as it was officially trans ­ porting the Indian ambassador. The driver refused to fly the Indian flag and Taleyarkhan refused to step into the car until he did. The stalemate was broken ¦ when the driver telephoned his head- I quarters for permission to fly the flag I and after much humming and hawing, I got it. “By the time Homi left it was 2 I p.m. He did not return until 9.30 that S night, ” Thrity recalled her anxiety for I his safety mounting steadily, especially I when the UN officials she spoke to were I aghast that he had proceeded all alone. I “When he came back, he was jubi- I lant. ” In the course of that long evening I he had convinced Gaddaffi of India ’s I secular credentials, her vast Muslim | population and innumerable mosques, I her willingness and ability to help Libya. I Gaddaffi asked for engineers, doctors, I nurses, teachers and with Indira ’s staunchsupportfromhomeTaleyarkhan In happier times: Thrity and Homi was able to supply them by the planeload, with son Firdauz. “In a year ’s time we flooded Indians and did everything we could to make them comfortable. ” The high tide of hostility people used to refer to him as Governor changed to a welcoming warmth — and Taleyarkhan... His humane approach left z»«. • .1 T 1 • . i _ ___ ‘________________________ n ” MZ I’/aIq OoMZOM machines, helped them set up piggeries, schools, play centers, hostels for women. In his letter R. Narayanan, a forrner secretary to the Government of India, delegations and councils covering trade recalled “the happy day s in Sikkim when and development, energy conservation, as governor (Taleyarkhan) raised the shipping, housing reconstruction, tour ­ ism, tribal welfare. As a cub reporter Behram “Busybee ” Contractor, editor of the Afternoon Despatch and Courier, recalled covering three to four meet ­ ings every evening addressed by Taleyar ­ khan. When he bunked his assignment, he said he phoned Taleyarkhan to en ­ quire and Taleyarkhan “always obliged. ” C. Rajagopal, station director of All India Radio (AIR) wrote, “We have lost a valuable broadcaster and a keen advi ­ sor whose knowledge immensely helped AIR.” DrM. R. Srinivasan, former chair ­ man of the Atomic Energy Commission who “had interacted with him in the • affairs of the IBPL Urja Foundation (which dealt with energy conservation I andrelatedissues)ofwhichTaleyarkhan I was chairman ” wrote of “his ability to I spread goodwill and friendship — v'al- ues that are in such short supply these days. ” Bombay University vice chan ­ cellor Dr Snehalata Deshmukh grieved the loss of “a great wise man who used to guide us. ” Principal M. H. Ajwani of Bombay ’s H. R. College of Commerce and Eco­ nomics wrote how long Taleyarkhan “advised us on the development of the _____ ___ Travel and Tourism Department in the tive involvement in the development of College. We all were always looking the state. ” By the end of the Sikkim tenure Taleyarkhan was keen to return to ac ­ tive politics at the center but was pre ­ vailed upon to go as ambassador to Italy Business Practices) activities that it is and the FAO (Food and Agricultural now very difficult for all of us to recon ­ cile to the fact that the CFBP will be without him and his guidance, ” wrote its r >¦ 1 1 I ¦t' status of office so considerably that an indelible mark. ” Wrote Pawan Chamling, chief minister of Sikkim, “We cherish the memories ofhis visits to the remote corners of our state and his ac- in the course ofhis six years there India ’s construction and consultancy contracts in Libya, won in the teeth of western competition, earned her Rs 600 crores and an estimated 20,000 Indian profes ­ sionals were employed there. Taleyar ­ khan ’s term as ambassador to Libya was extended at Gaddaffi ’s request, says Thrity. During Indira Gandhi ’s ouster Taleyarkhan preferred to be chairman of the Maharashtra State Finance Cor­ poration rather than accept a gubernato ­ rial offer from the opposition govern ­ ment and Indira appreciated his loyalty. Back in the saddle, she sent Taleyarkhan they learnt of her assassination. Thrity I came in as the second governor of Sikkim after the frontier statejoined the Indian Union ------- ------ - ----------- Going to the remote areas, walking Congress Commillcii president Sonia reaucrats... He was known for his zeal through mud and dirt to see the condi- Gandhi in her letter of condolence to and commitment for the public welfare. — • • - " ' ' 1 He was always on time and he showed friends for long. ” tremendous courtesy to one and all. He At the end of the tenure in Rome behaved like a royal republican, if I may Taleyarkhan was appointed senior mem ­ ber of the National Minorities Commis- eagerly for ITC’ s lectures which he used to conduct in H. R. College. We are going to miss him a lot. ” “Homi was so involved with CFBP’s (Council for Fair Organization of the UNO). Indira had promised to visit them there “if I’m still alive, ” recalls Thrity. Her prescient president Shekhar Bajaj. “As a former phrase reverberated with them when IAS officer from the Maharashtra cadre... “ ¦ ’ 1 touch with him on a few occasions. He was full of encourage ­ ment and new ideas for the young bu- says she had never seen Homi so devas ­ tated as he was then. As wrote All India through mud and dirt to see the condi- Gandhi in her letter ol condolence to tions for himself, Taleyarkhan brought Thrity, “He and my family have been his influence and contacts in Delhi to help develop Sikkim, informs Thrity. He built hospitals, got cancer, TB and stomach specialists to come and tend the use this funny phrase, in the sense that he combined the age old courtesy and 55 Parsiana November 1998 *concepts with modern methods and thinking, ” wrote Dr V. S. Gopalakrish- nan, director general of Bombay ’s World Trade Centre. The Indian Red Cross Society, the general of IndiaTehim ’an AndhyaVuhnl". Maharashtra State Anti-Tuberculosis Association, the St John ’s Ambulance it. “It struck me as I came to know him better that he was : ... naive person who had a political ambi ­ tion to be recognized, ” wrote solicitor typing articles, working on the many a very simple and books he authored. “It was a job getting him to breakfast. And then, invariably, he ’d be in a tearing hurry to go. ” After . - . he returned home at 7.30 or so they He was so artless... (and) appeared to would proceed to the Willingdon Club if r._- , be quite unworldly in matters of daily there was no function to attend. At night zati management, ” added he would read awhile no matter how late L d“S^^^^'O^dolenceresolu. Andhyarujma. “He was never interested he returned and always do his kusti .as aid the Parsi anjumans and in money, ” says Thrity who saw to it that before getting to bed. He fell asleep very punchayetsin various parts of India. In bJ-drb/er, perser.al acsLtar.t c. vciy Shahpur Captain, chairman of the necessary resources with them. .. “Material things didn ’t bother him. tion of the grand function organized by He was never one for rich suits, he was zations that moved condolence resol u- the WZO, placed on record its apprecia- Andhyarujina. “He was never interested he returned and always do his kusti his driver, personal assistant or peon had quickly and was refreshed even with a short sleep, like Napoleon — his hero and that of his son. Both Taleyarkhan and their only child, Firdauz, had great will power and would “go out with 103° temperature if they had an engagement to keep, ’ ’ says Thrity. Temptations were aplenty when he was supplies minister and people tried all man- "'ays to win his J favor. “He hated under- band deals... Today we don ’t have even one flat to our name, ” says Thrity simply, adding that Firdauz used to insist that they close all accounts in foreign banks at the end of their ambassado ­ rial tenure to ensure that not even a speck of public doubt could touch his father ’s reputation. me to be well dressed, well jewelled, ” ____ 12 L'._ 1_____..I,, smiles Thrity, adding, “the only thing he unpleasant. It helped him to loved was pens and watches —the cheap ­ est to the most expensive pens: With Mont Blanc and Cartier pens he would carry a 10-rupee pen! and cheap gim ­ micky watches. ” He was delighted with “Material things didn ’t bother him. Taleyarkhan at Bombay ’s Raj Bhavan simple in his ways. But he always wanted to celebrate the 10th an ­ niversary of the WZO. I The flowers he re- I ceived at the various I functions were always I carried home to Thrity. || “We shared a lot. There 9 was never a thing he kept I from me, ” Thrity ex- I pressed her contentment I with their life together. I He had been keen on ¦ BPP trusteeship. She al- ’"'i ways tried to dissuade him, she said. Describ ­ ing him as a “man of uncanny conviction — once he took a liking to a subject, he fc. probed it to its roots, BPP trustee and community members from Surat former municipal councillor Rustom Tirandaz cited the example of his inter ­ est in public health services and in ­ volvement with the anti-TB Associa ­ tion — interests which never flagged. “The WZO and BPP were very unfair to him. (He) was one man who deserved to be trustee more than anyone else. The two greats who didn ’t get into the BPP to celebrate the 10th an- A [A *4^ With Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi and % were Pherozeshah Mehta and Homi gifted him. Even Alexander commented Taleyarkhan — both were men of sub- < ‘ ____ stance, ” opined Tirandaz despite the (watch) chain, so elegant,' so visible on many verbal duels he had fought with Taleyarkhan at the executive council meetings of the FPZAI. “You loved him or you envied him but you could not hate him because there was no malice in him, ” he added. There were many who recalled Tale ­ yarkhan ’s fondness for occupying the first row at public meetings. He enjoyed the honors bestowed on him — the Padma Shri from the government of India, the Shiromani Institute Vikas Award, the Bharat Nirman Award and others. He enjoyed even more the defer ­ ence that institutions and individuals ....... ............. ...... ...^ ....o.. xuvniv showed him in public, even demanded reading, writing, collecting stat"i*s7i"cs\ “He could block out things that were ) overcome his son ’s grief, ” reminisced Thrity. Firdauz, highly regarded for his legal acumen as well as his human qualities, was an outstanding rider and mountain- _ eer who met a tragic end in the Grehwal a talking watch ” a young relative had Mountains. As Andhyarujina wrote, “I on the “array of fountain pens, the gold know how close Firdauz was to him and he to Firdauz. ” The Taleyarkhans ’ grief was dignified and private. “Life is not eternal and one has, at some time or the other, to go to the next world, ” wrote B. K. Nehru, former In- his personality. ” K. C. Nainan, former joint secretary to the governor of Maharashtra wrote of ____ , _______ __ ______ _ ^his tenacity...his indomitable spirit and dian high commissioner to the UK, “but J- it is great satisfaction if one has spent his courage of conviction, his willing- i ’ ~ . ........... 1 ness to help worthy causes. ” “We will one ’s life in the service of one ’s country think of him with affection and pride, ” ----------'—'—" noted K. T. Satarawala, former Indian ambassador to Mexico. Thrity recounted a normal Taleyar ­ khan day which began around 5-5.30 in the morning; “Once he got up he made the whole house get up, unchained the ____ __________. dog. There was never a drop on his pleading with his Creator for incama- mouth till he finished his kusti, ” Then to 56 Parsiana November 1998 as your husband did. We shall all re ­ member him and the good that he has done to us. ” Capturing the spirit of the man they came to praise. The Bombay Samachar editor Jehan Daruvala exclaimed, “Rest in peace? But that restless soul must be tion after incarnation to come back and serve his nation and his people! ” *