Complete Issue

April 2000

APRIL2000 Rs 35

Rustam Gagrat The Legal Centenarian

April2000

Volume 22 Number 9

EDITOR JehangirR.Patel

MANAGING EDITOR Amavaz S. Mama 2 Readers' Forum

EXECUTIVE EDITOR ParinazM. Gandhi

SENIOR EDITORS

Dina K. Mehta, Hilla P. Guzder

8 Events and Personalities

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Roxana A. Driver 15 Zoroastrians Abroad: Noshir Sachinwalla

SENIOR DESIGNER Kranti M. Shilotri

DESIGNER Nivedita A. Potdar

17 Fertile fortuneby Lyla Nicholson

MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera J.Patel 19 The tussle for trusteeship

ADVERTISING MANAGERJasmine D. Driver

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Susan Hadvaid 24 The return of SillooKavarana

... FINANCE B. L. Arora

DTP Bakhtavar R. Batliwalla, K. P. Ravi 26 Zarir Bhathena: "Never touch any institution"

SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER

Khurshid Panthaki 28 No voters, no voice by Ruby Lilaowala

ASSISTANT SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER

Swarupa Bhagwat 31 7th World Zoroastrian Congress brochure

ACCOUNTANT AnaghaKorde

ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT 43 Bonding in Sandra

Sampada S. Patwardhan

ACCOUNTS ASSISTANTS lndu Pillai, 44 On Bordi's beaches by Kimi Dangor

Sreevidya P. Unni

Selvan Mark, Sunil Sakhare,

OFFICE ASSISTANTS Umesh Poojary, 52 RustamGagrat's legal innings by Arnavaz Mama

Govind Salgaonkar, Mahipat Jadhav

56 Jeenaand Company: In the forefront of freight by Hilla Guzder

68 Books

70 Milestones

Cover: Rustam Gagrat

,,.

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READERS' FORUM

A burningneed to merge The community has not seen any tan gible progress towardstheconsolida tion of our fires on the basis of the community's needs: maintenance costs, local populationand radial distances.

Bharuch, with a population of under 150, has six agiaries; Surat,with about 2,500 has nine agiaries (besides the two atash behrams); Bombay had 44 agiaries (besidesfour atash behrams). Two more were added in '99and one in 2000, taking the figure to 47.

The maintenance of our fire-temples is a costlyaffair. Firewood alone costs Rs 400 per quintal, to say nothing of the

other expenses of staffing, civil mainte nance, water and taxes.

It is high time that the trustees of the different regional agiaries got together,

held a colloquium and discussed the best possibleways to merge some fires. The worshippers' convenience should beofparamount consideration. The

physical condition of the structure and the availability of mobeds should be the

other two considerations.

burningneeds of our community. The trustees of such agiaries do not have to surrender their trusts to anyone. They can continueto operate their trusts and use the funds for these three specific purposes.The respective charitycom missioners willsee the reason behind the different requestsand permit them to changethe objects of the respective trusts. Let me cite one instance,dating back to 1955.

Therewas a Hindu trust created with the purpose of distributing one lakh ru pees worth of laddoos to the sadhus of a particularsect on Guru Purnima day. The trusteesfound it impossibleto ful fill the object of their trust.

With thepermissionoftheHigh

Court, the originalobject of the trust was permitted to be altered and the earnings from the corpuswere allowed to be used for other socioreligious needs.

B. T. DASTUR

Agrave issue

The Parsi community of Bombay has to

take a quickand firm decision regarding

Readers' views are welcome on any subject of interest to the communityand 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 lettersor those withoutan address will not be published.

"The Kuppawalla ..!'

In the article "TheKuppawalla Connec

tion" (Parsiana, January 2000) there is reference to the pulleys - kuppa - made by my paternal grandmother's forefathers whence they derived their surname. As statedtherein, in the early19th century Shapoorjee Sorabjee and Company delivered pulleysfor the Royal Navy ships then being built in

the Naval Dockyardsby mas terbuilder Jamsetjee Bomanjee Wadia and others. The photo graph of the pulley in the rig ging of H.M.S. Trincomalee shows how they were used on a sailingship in those days. The pulleys fixed to the ropes holding up one of the masts are seen clearly.

KERSI T. SATARA WALA

Poona

Pulleys fixed to ship's ropes

2 Parsiana April 2000

Inthe larger interestof the commu nity the trustees of some of the agiaries should relent and let the fires be merged.

I want to reassurethe readers that

there is nothingin our scriptures pre venting such mergers.Some of the priests, scholars and pseudo-scholars seem tobe disinclined towards this pro posal for no valid reason. I have re searched enoughbefore making this cat egoricalremark.

Thereis an appalling sickness and quite some poverty among the Parsis. Very bright students aspiringto study abroad have to struggle to find adequate funds. The monies saved through merg erscan be utilized towards these three

the Doongerwadi. There are three op

tions before us:

•Continue to use the present arrangement despite mounting criticism from

people in the locality, many of them Parsis, about pollutionand the danger of epidemics.

•Use the existing crematoria in the city,

or the burial groundsin the suburbs or

the interior.

•Build a crematoriumin the Doonger

wadi, for the exclusive use of Parsis, with an architect's designthat stresses our faith in the sun, which is confirmed by science. The present methodcan continue with it side by side. .

I expect there are some criticsof

cremation, and there are some others who are con vinced that the present ar rangement is unworkable. This may land the Parsi Punchayetin legal conse quences.

We have been discussing the matter for the last 25 years and have been unable to agree. We have to find a workableand scientific method of disposal.If we go

·on postponing the issue for the next 25 years, we may

The Sardar Dastur Schools' Trust

runs four renownedEnglish medium schoolsin Pune,

right from pre-nursery to sse

and provides separatewell

established hostels for girls

and boys.

The hostels, a home away from home have all the ame nities to make the children feel comfortable and ensure that they are well looked after. We have an excellent mess facility cateringto veg and non-veg food for the students, an extremely high standard of hygiene is main tained.

The quality of education is of a very high order and the schools have an unsurpas sable record in the field of academicsand sports. Com puter studiesis a compulsory subject. Extra curricular acti vities includeKarate, Band, Indian and Western Music and Games.

Students are preparedfor Hindi, Marathi,Drawing, Maths and other Scholarship Exams controlled by the Government.

Our schools have constantly won laurels in inter-school competitions and at nationallevel.

Special concessions to deserving studentsmay be considered.

Parents desirous of enroll ing theirwards in the Schools' Hostelsfrom Std I onwards are requested

to immediately write to or contact:

The President

Sardar DasturSchools' Trust 2 Lt Col Tarapore Road

Pune 411001

Tel: 842630- 842660

4 Parsiana Apri/2000

find that the law has forced us to aban don the site, go out 100 miles to another one, or build a cre]Ilatorium on modern scientific lines at the present location.

To those who believe in the sun, as I do, and have faith in fire, its symbol, there is much comfortin consigning our dead to fire - our symbolof power, purity and hope. recognized by the an cients, and by sciencetoday.

K. F. RUSTAMJI

Ingenious elections

When announcement for an electionis

made,the community unnecessarily gets ablaze and a lot of heat is created for nothing at all. Perhapsthe community is not aware that they have no role to play in selecting trusteesof their choice. The Bombay Parsi Punchayethas devised, over the years, an ingenious scheme which has debarred almost 97 percent of the population from selecting trustees of their own choice. Only a handful of Parsis whose names are listed in the Donors and Anjuman Committee regis ters numbering about 1,400 are eligible to vote. Past experience shows that be tween 500-600only turn up to cast their votes, which means that only about one percent of the total population ofBombayis voting for selection of the Punchayettrustees. Is this acceptable to the com munity?

Many anjumans/associations, except the BombayPunchayet, have adopted universal adult franchise and are allow ing all their adult members to select trusteesof their own choice.

DALI GUNDEVIA

Funds for Frohar Films

It is sad to learnthattheTVserial

Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta,produced

by Frohar Films and directedby Cyrus Dastoorwhich was being screened on DD Metro,had to be discontinued for lack of funds.

The efforts made by the producers, though on a modest scale, should have deserved the support of every Zoroas trian man, woman and childand also of Parsi institutes, big and small, as the serial would have then run for 52 epi sodes.

Theserial, if it had run, would have covered all aspects of the religionin an informative and educativemanner, at tempting to satisfythe queries ofour children and adults, both inGujarati and in English.

There were to be interesting inter-

viewswith prominent Parsis,discus sions by learned priests andscholars. enactment of pages from Zoroastrian mythology and history.

Unfortunately, for want of financial help, this serial had to be discontinued as the producers could not affordRs 40,000 for each episode from their own modest resources.

If prestigious organizations and phi lanthropists extend generous financial support, the serial which is the first of its kind by our community for the commu nity, may be revived.

BHIKHAJI M. ADENW ALLA

Singularly sinful

Sinfulness is something we tend to as

cribe to others and not to ourselves: it is

the oldest human failing. In the modern world, mass education, the emergence of the collective state, the multiplicity of information suppliedby television, all encourage us to see evil in collective terms too. For us. sin is a matter of wrong ideology, or vicious opinionsabout race, or religious bigotry,or social prejudice. Rarelydo we acknowledge the evil in ourselves. Yet it is in us that the seat of corruption lies. We do not see it. The ideaof a fallen world is not p.art of modern culture.

Men and women are regardedas ba sically good, as possessed of numerous rights which extend so far as the right to a happy existence, and as endowed with considerable personal significance which others ought to respect.This last. which many take for granted and elevate to the level of the sacred when speakingof the sanctity of human life, is a recent concept. For most of human history people were thought of as miserable creatures, corrupt and given to wicked ness. They needed the sanctionof au thority if social order was to be main tained. Modern people, in contrast, are virtually incapableof appreciating self discipline. Ours is a culture of self indulgenceof the emotions.

People in traditional societyknew that human sinfulness was such that without disciplined living therewould be moral chaos. And so it is provingto be. Discoveries about the nature of cre ation are tending to confirm the ancient belief in the insignificance of humanity

-an excrescence on the surfaceof a speck of space debris -justat a time when modern ideologyis insisting on the sovereign importance of humanlife. Humanlife discloses the dignity of those

who are called to transcendence. But human life is borne by individuals who remain inherently sinful and are in rela tion to Zarathushtra withoutrights.

What modern society needsisin struction aboutpersonal sin.There is plenty of decimation about the large errors of racism,sexism, ecological ir responsibilityand all the rest of it - necessary, doubtless,but nonetheless in practicedistractingattentionfrom the priority, which should be placed on the individualsinfulness of each of us. Hu man life is not sacred,and we are not sacred. We are however, the wretched bearers of an extraordinary gift: the promise,which Zarathushtra holds out to those who acknowledge their corrup tion and ask for His forgiveness. It is such a simple thing. And, if we accept the responsibility of our own sinfulness we shall be muchbetter able to cope with the collective sinfulness of human action in the world. FURHOK K.TANGREE

La Roche-sur-Foron. France

Let's save Bahrot

When we Pars is first landedon the shores

of Gujarat about 1,200 years ago, the king of Gujarat permittedus to live peacefully in the provinceofSanjan.

When Gujarat was invaded by the victorious Muslims, a small group of Parsis from Sanjan sought refuge in the Bahrot caves nearby. These caves are situated near the town of Dahanu, about I, I 00 feet above sealevel.

In order to pre

serve their dear re

ligionand protect their holy fire, these people lived up there in harsh conditions for about 12 years. Legend says that the Parsis had built a long underground tun nel connecting Sanjan miles away with Bahrot using rudimentary tools.

Unfortunately today, these lovely caves are decayingand collapsing. Be ing a great historical site for us Zoroas trians, althoughI am only 14 yearsold I believe it's our duty to preserve and maintain these caves. Afterall, they had protected us and our holy fire. Nowadays, it's not uncommon to see babas performing black magicin these ancient

The main cave at Bahrot

caves.Many people also go up there and litter the place withoutknowing its his torical importance. It's really very sad to see all this happen but if we just sit discussingthe matter, we will get no where. We can organize trips to the Bahrot caves, learn more about them and study their environment. We can also teach the local villagersabout Bahrot's importance and request them to give a helpinghand if needed. It's only when we take such action that our

continued on page 48

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6 Parsiana Apnl 2000

Events and Personalities

Surat's securities

Under the stewardship of its chairman

Dr Sam Bhacca,the Surat Parsi Panchayat (SPP) showed a gross total income ofRs 21,987,686.63 for the year ended March 31, 1999 as per their au dited statement of accounts and balance sheet. The expenses borneby the SPP were highestfor education, Rs 7,878,240.29. the next in line, Rs 1,618,546.28 for establishment ex penses, and with relief of povertyRs 767,070 and medical expensesRs 419,194 coming lower down in the pri orities.

"It is reportedtousbyoneofthe

trustees that a fraud has taken place in the xeroxdepartment and the amount of liability has not been ascertained. Man agementis taking necessary steps for the same. No provisionfor any liability has been provided in the books of ac count duringthe year," notes an annex ure to the audit reportsigned by the chartered accountants D. N. Shuklaand Company. Also enclosedare the ac counts for the different establishments managed by the SPP: Surat Parsi Boys Orphanage and Properties; Nariman Girls Orphanage; BaiP. M.Patel Singanporwala EnglishSchool; Seth K.

H. Alpaiwala Industrial Institute for Women and Girls;SethSorabji

Nauserwanji Parukh Polytechnic Insti

tute;Seth R.D. Tarachand Parsi General Hospital;Bai G. N. Mehta MaternityHospital; Nariman Home and Infirmary; The First Dastur Meherji Rana Trust Fund; The Dastur Darab Pahlana Trust Fund; Sorabji Burjorji Dastur Darab Pahalana Trust.

When comparingthe corpus of the different community institutions in Surat, the SPP showed Rs 54,676,785.43 as compared toRs 48,421,398.48last year. ThelowestcorpusofRs 113,203.37was

8 Parsiana April2000

seen in the Parukh Polytechnic. Last year it was the Maternity Hospitalwhich had shown the lowest corpus of Rs 788,228.62.

The immovable propertiesin the ac

count of the SPP stand at Rs 14,049,839.12, the same as at last year. The Parsi GeneralHospital continued to show the lowest at Rs 243.518.71, not

counting the AlpaiwalaInstitute, the Parukh Polytechnic, the Dastur Darab Phalana Trust, Sorabji B. D. D. Pahalana Trust and the Dastur MeherjiRan a Trust which have no immovable properties listed in their assets.

Ahmedabad's assets

As per the trend of the preceding year

The Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayat once again showed an excess of expenditure against income in their last audited state ment of accounts for the year ended March 31, 1998. The excessexpendi ture of Rs 4,18,846.36 in the year under report included total depreciation of Rs 8,59,684.12 as the Panchayat had con structed new immovable propertiesand new flats that financial year, notes the report from the joint honorary secretary Fali D. Makhania. Their balance thus stands at Rs 3,696,240.10; with immov able properties in their assets valued at Rs 13,023,060.98, and movable proper ties at Rs 812,260.26.

Fromthe funds at their disposal, a maximum, Rs 2,17,347 were expended as medical aid, Rs 1,00,170 as financial aid, Rs 75,018 as educationaid, Rs 40,150 on gahambarand Rs 38,075 on kathi. Their expenditure on the objects of the trust totalledRs 929,832.26, es tablishment expensesRs 1,049,717.25, and expenses in respect of properties Rs 637,720.60. To enable the Panchayat "tospend morefor worthy causes," presi dent K. J. Shethna seeks further dona-

tions in a letterto Parsiana. His co trustees on the board are T. P. Commis sariat and A. P. Khambatta. The Panchayat address is Parsi Agiary, Bukhara Mohalla, Khamasa Gate, Ahmedabad 380001,Tel:5350439,

5350449.

They have shown incomefrom im

movable propertiesas Rs 1,599,974 and

income from other sources as Rs

914.200. Theirdonations amounted to

Rs 103,342 of which the largest sum, Rs 88,691 was for the Kathi Fund, followed by Rs 10,602 for the Medical Fund, Rs 7,000for the Education Fund, Rs 1,050 for the Roovan Aval Manzil and Rs 500 each for the Foodgrain Fund and the Parsi Dharamshala. At the end of the year the standingbalance among their different funds showed the highest sum ofRs347,989.20intheirHunnarUdyog Fund with their Khandia Fund at the lowest end indicating but Rs 1,837.50."With a view to (instil) a stronger religiousfervor in our community (the) Panchayat has maintained low rates for theperformanceofvariousreligious ceremonies, which are probablythe low est in the country," writes the joint sec

retary.

ZOSTA's zest

"Twelve years ago, I was one of

ZOSTA's (The Zoroastrian Student

Teacher Association) 'proud posses sions.' I still value the certificate you gave me and the recognition accordedby my community, its teachersand my peers," stated chief guestDrNozer Sheriar,recalling the time ZOSTA fe licitated him in 1988 for standingfirst at the MD exam. "You are our pride and promise," he told the students. "Future ZOSTA functions will see many of you giving away prizes to young achievers." Speaking at ZOSTA'sannual prize

Clockwise from top left: Nozer Sheriar, Nawaz Sanjana, Commissariat, Daroga, Ruby Sheriar, Jasmin Bhathena, Ghadiali, Freny Mehta and

Zarir Bhathena;Sheriar honoring Marfatia;Lakdawala (left)and Mehta; Bhathenawith Bacha; Gandhi

Photos: Cyrus Shroff

distribution at Patkar Hall on February 28, 2000,Sheriar exhorted the over 200 prizewinners (up from last year's 116) to fly, like the bird in the well-known novel Jonathan Livingstone Seagull, ever higher and faster. The bird aimed for heaven,but heavenis not a place, heaven is being perfect, he said, quoting from the novel. Dispensing encouragement, Sheriar pointedout that Microsoftstarted in a garage, Azim Premji (chairman ofWipro and reportedly the third richestman in the world) began his working life in the fam ily businessselling vegetable oil, so small beginnings do not precludesuccess. "I had no time" is no excuse for lack of success, he asserted,as Einstein and New ton had the same 24 hours as everyone else! Complimenting the doctor on his achievements, vice chairperson ofZOSTA and Bai Ruttonbai F. D. Panday Girls' High School principal SillooCommis sariat prescribed: "MayDr Sheriar (are puted gynecologist and obstetrician) de liver hundredsand hundreds of healthy Zoroastrian babiesto increase our tribe," to robustapplause from the audience!

The meeting observedtwo minutes' silencein memory of the late Roshen Driver, former principal of the Byramjee

10 Parsiana Apri/2000

Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institu tion (BJPCI),who had been ZOSTA's chairperson for 14 years. "I miss her familiarfigure on the dais," said guest of honor Zarir Bhathena who once again this year donated four 22-carat gold medals in memory ofhisparents Hillamai and Manchershaw Bhathena.Walking away with the honorswith 91.67 per cent in the March 1999 HSC examina tion was FreddyGandhi, while FarzeenaLakdawala with 92.83percent and Farhan Mehta with 92.66 percentwon the gold medals for the ICSE exam. Tanaz Bacha, a student of the Sett R. J.

J. High Schoolin Navsari, securedfor herself the gold with 94.71 percentin the SSC exam. ''WhenZOSTA speaks silver,Bhathenareplies in gold," quipped Commissariat, thankingBhathena and other donors for their benefactions which enabled ZOSTA to distribute prizes worth Rs 60,000.

Taking over as chairperson ofZOSTAafter Driver's sudden demise is Zenobia Daroga,the principal of the Bai B. S. Bengallee Girls' High School."She has lifted a heavy burden from our shoul ders with her ready and timely help," commendedCommissariat. ZOSTA also

felicitated Diana Marfatia,the "newly born"principal of the BJPCI and the youngest Parsi principal today and, in absentia, ZarineBasla, principal of the Maneckji Cooper Education Trust Schoolfor their numerousachievements. The Parsi principals at the helm of so many schools are the "unsung heroes" of our community, noted Gool Ghadiali, ZOSTA committee member and princi pal of the New Era School.Receiving honors for their long and dedicatedseJ vice were Bejon Desai, secretaryof Boys' Town, Nasik (in absentia), Shirip Choksey of Udyachal PrimarySchool, Rati Wadi a of Queen Mary High School and Perin Bagli of Activity High School. At the top of the long line of teachers whose contribution ZOSTA recognizes annually were KaikhusruDamwalla and Ervad RatanshawMotafaram of the M.

F. Cama Athornan Institutewith 60 and 45 years of service respectively!

Heading the list of 'rare achieve ments' awardees wasZenobiaBardi who stood first at the exams conductedby the Delhi-based National Councilof Hotel Management at 18centers all over India. Doing her BA from the Instituteof Distance Education simultaneously

with her hotel management, Bardi won a silver medal from ZOSTA for that as well! "I feel very honored receiving this recognition in front of my own people," she told Parsiana. "Community con scious" JehangirBhada, a ·veteran'of numerous youth congresses, receiveda 'rare achievement' award for his 75.10 percent in the MSc exam. He does not normally set much store by medals or awards, ,hesaidto Parsiana, but the

ZOST,A , thering is a good "inspiratio

nal" meetingground."Yes,Sheriar' s

speech reallydid inspire me,"endorsed Gandhi. "There are not too many seniors around who provide the right guidance." In addition to its numerous other ac tivities,to spark an interest in the Gujarati language ZOSTA has for the past two years been conducting Gujarati classes on Saturday mornings at Girton High School under the auspicesof the World Zarathushti Cultural Foundation, with expenses including freebooksand snacks being sponsored by a benevolent well-wisher. Hilla P. Guzder

Acclaim and award

For her "lifelong work in literature and

education," 85-year-old Piloo Jungal walla of Delhi was rewarded with the Padma Shri announced by the Govern ment oflndia at the last Republic Day on January 26, 2000. She was to be felici tated by the Delhi Parsi Anjuman on February 20, she wrote in a letter to Parsiana.

Inthe last week of March. she was invited to London for the releaseof her English translation, The Gathas of Zarathushtra atZoroastrian House at thehands of Dr Almut Hintz,Zarathosty

Brothers fellow

ship holder at the School of Oriental and AfricanStud ies. The book hasalready been released in India (see "Gathas that bridge," Events

Jungalwalla: and Personalities,

rare contribution Parsiana, January

2000).

Among the other publications to

Jungalwalla's credit, some of which are under her maiden name Nanavutty, are The Parsis, a series on Our Religion,Fravarane, OurSacred Calendar, Songs of Zarathushtra in collaboration with the late Dastur Framroze Bode.The EncyclopaediaBritannica,S. E. Asia

12 Parsiana April 2000

Nagporewalla (left)recei ving the 'BestTeacher' award from Rane

Region, whichwill be out in its new editionin June 2000 carriesan update on Zoroas trianism by Jungalwalla, notes her curriculum vitae.

Inthe mid 1930sand 1940s shewas engrossed ifi research work on WilliamBlake and

had an occasion topublish her

findings in various leading

journals. For the first 14years of her life she was educated at homeand after passingher Senior Cambridgeexamina tions she studied at St Margaret's School, London,

and the Girton College,Cambridge Uni

versity, England from where she gradu ated in English literature, Indian anthro pology and archeology. Thereafter she was awarded the MLitt degree and a titu lar MA degree.For several years she was lecturer at Bombay's WilsonCollege and was concurrently appointedliteracy of ficer by the BombayUniversity Senate, accordingto her bio data.

As principalof Delhi's Janki Devi College, she was instrumental in raising

the standards and reputation of the insti tution. During this time she was also the University's representative, the only

woman on the It-member board of di rectors of the NationalCouncil of Edu cational Researchand Training, and elected memberin charge, Committeeon International Relations of the Indian Federation of University Women'sAs sociations, adds the write-up.

While her husbandDr Nowshir (since deceased),consultant, World Health Or ganization, accepted assignments in dif ferent countries, Piloo also made her mark on foreign soil. In Geneva she was representing the All India Women's Con ference (AIWC) at the Human Rights Committee and the Statusof Women Commissionat the United Nations, ac cording to the write-up.Earlier she had served on the executiveboard of the AIWC, manning the UN desk.Several are the in-stitutions in India, London and Scot-landwhere she was invited as guest lecturer.

Remarkable educationist Declaredthe best teacher for the year 1998-99 by the Government of Maha rashtra,Dr Gulestan BehramNagpore-

walla was presentedher award by the then education minister Dattaji Rane at a function at Bombay's SydenhamCol lege on Gandhi Jayanti day, October2. 1999. The award was in recognition of her servicesfor over21 years at the S. N.

D. T. Women's University where she

was head of the department of com merce, postgraduate studiesand re search, and dean ofthe faculty of com merce, states a press release.

In fact, at the S.N.D. T. University,

Nagporewalla was instrumental in es tablishingthe commerce facultyat the graduate and postgraduate level. For 15 years prior to that she was affiliated with theBombay University. She was ap pointed lecturerin statistics/commerce at the SydenhamCollege of Commerceand Economics on completing her postgraduation in commerce, which fol lowed a brilliantperformance at the BComexamination where she topped the batch of first class students, men tions the press release.The subject of Nagporewalla'sPhDthesis was "Evalu ation of labor welfare in chemical, tex tile, pharmaceutical and engineering industries."

Herteaching career startedin 1960as a Dakshinafellow. Later she was awarded the Commonwealth Universi ties SeniorTravelling Fellowship to visit universities in the United Kingdom and Canada where she conducted a study on the examination systems and methods of instruction at these institutions, adds the release.

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spanning almost 29 years, Commodore

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Aspi Marker has assumed manifoldre sponsibilities. His most recentappoint ment was as naval officer-in-charge, Gujarat, with his base in Porbunder, accordingto a brief profile.

Marker's tenure asdirecting staff of the NationalDefence Academy, Kha dakvasla, the DefenceServices Staff College, Wellington and the Collegeof Defence Management, Secunderabad is an achievement "very few armed forces officers have to their credit," notes the write-up. With an MSc in defence studies

and yet another masters in man agement studies, Marker has "al ways motivated and ably led offic ers and sailors placed under him."

After fighting Marker: moti in the 1971Indo- vated officer Pak War, he chose

to specialize in navigation and direc tion. Some of the Indian Navy ships he was deputed to command are Nipat and Nirghat of the Easternfleet, Shakti and Khukri ofthe Western fleet,and while ashore the INS Agnibahuand the 22nd Missile VesselSquadron, his accom plishmentsare listed.

Preserving portraits

"It was a beautiful old portrait in Rustom

Jejeebhoy's office that set me think ing,"says Khorshed Gandhyof Gallery Chemould.The agiaries and atash behrams,private homes, Parsi institu tions have so many lovelypictorial pieces of heritage, often lying dusty and decrepit, she elaborates, which should rightly be preserved. And so in the latter half of '99, a committee of like-minded individuals got together to launch "Por trait of a Community" -an indepen dent project conceivedby Gallery Che mould under the aegis of the Chemould Publications and Arts Trust.

"Ours will be more than just an exhibition of restoredportraits," points out Gandhy. On the committee under the chairmanship of Gandhy are Bachi Karkaria, BurjorPoonawala, Cyrus Guzder, Homai Modi, KayanMarshall, Kersi Treasurywala, Mehlli Gobhai, Nancy Adajania, PherozaGodrej, Rustom Jejeebhoy, Sam N.J. Maneck shaw, Saker Mistri and Yazdi Karanjia of Surat. "We will take help from re-

continued on page 60

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ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD

Culture is the key to survival

Cultural awarenesscan preserve the diasporic communities, believes AZA presidentCapt Noshir Sachinwalla

Arnavaz S. Mama

"Unless we bring up our childrenin the proper way, Zoroastrian culture will be lost,"says Capt Noshir Sachinwalla, a former shipmaster who is presidentof the Australian Zoroastrian Association (AZA) of New South Wales (NSW). Withoutsuch nurturing Zoroastrian iden tity wouldvaporize amid the encom passing host cultureas happened in other, earlier Zoroastrian diasporaseast and west, he fears.

Theissue is particularly important to the Sydney com munity whose45-50 children in the 5-13 agegroup attend Sunday school at the Arbab Rostam and Morvarid Guiv Darbe Meher. They are be ing taught Gujarati which AZA espousesas its mother

With A$ 50,000in the kitty as againsta project estimateof A $ 300,000, the resource crunch is formidable. Added to that is the need for speed. Unless the project begins beforeJuly I thisyear, the bill will rise by an additional A $ 30,000 as the newAustralian I 0 percent goods and servicestax will come into force. Sachinwalla, a member of the building andfund-raising committees, was feeling his way aroundZoroastrian organizations and industrialistswillingto sup

port the project while he was inBombayfollowing the

meeting of the regions to dis cuss the world body in Janu

ary2000. But if the local com munity is serious, it must lead the wayby endorsing the

overseas into a completely differentcul tural environment would get support, information and encouragement to cope," he adds. The project would be feasibleif some "Zoroastrian entrepre neurs get together to buy a big plot and use the Australian system of ownershiphousing," statesSachinwalla.

"Zoroastrian cultureis not the mo nopoly of the Parsi community," avers Sachinwalla. "The message of the Gathas and other scriptures is for the people of the world, not for Parsis only ... Zoroastrianism is a progressive culture. We have survived becausewe have adapted certain thingsfrom other cul tures without compromising ours," he maintains. Accordingly, he believes that spouses from other communities should be encouraged if they wish to follow

tongue. But the AssociationSachinwalla:

also hopes to introduce Farsi expandingSunday

"to keep them in touch with school

the original languageof the

project with contributions, he maintains.

Another requirementin Sydney is land for burial for

Zoroastrian cultm;e.

During his first term as president

there was a controversy in the managing committee about installing a gifted por

fatherland," says Sachin-walla. And a

boost is providedby the Australian gov ernment by way of a small grant to preserve ethnic traditions and culture.

On the AZA agenda, vigorously sup ported by Sachinwalla, is new construc

tion on its spaciousAZA House prop erty to provide facilities for the kids. The

present hall in the DarbeMeher cur rently serves as the venue and some classes are held in the open.But, ex plains Sachinwalla, the hall has been made for sound effects where divisions don't work. And the weatheris notal ways favorable for outdoor classes.

Anadjoining building compartmen talized into classeswith a 250 seater hall suitable for lectures and/orindoor sports and residential accommodation for a caretaker for the property is envisioned and an extraordinary general meeting of the Association was summoned on April 9, 2000 to seek "consensus and approval" of the projectwhich had been given the initial green signal in August 1998.

which there is no community provision

thus far. Cremationis the cheaper alter native and Sachinwalla notes that a con sensus has emergedfor the provision of a burial/memorial park on anothersite in the near future,"not in the same premisesas the Darbe Meher."

Intohis second two-yearstint as presi dent of AZA, Sachinwalla had been asked "to keep Zoroastrian culturego ing" when he had initiallyjoined the managing committee of the Association in the mid 1970s. It remains his preoccu pation. "For the Zoroastrian communityto survive in Australia, it needs a place like Cusrow Baug with an agiary," he says,referring to the tremendous advan tages of thearrangement as the younger generation would meet more often lead ing to marriages within the community, it would be easier to look after the older generation in the neighborhood and there would be more time and opportunity to participate in social and culturalactivi ties. "Abride and groom coming from

trait of Zarathushtra paintedin the Ger

man style along with the traditional pre sentation. It was claimedthat Zarathushti childrenwould be bewildered by such an alien presentation. To settle the issue, Sachinwalla called a referendumof the community. The vote was in favor of both portraits being enshrined. A simi lar controversy about which calendarto follow had also been settled by a refer endum with the AZA general body vot ing for the Faslicalendar(starting March 2I ). Since then all gahambars etc are celebratedin the Darbe Meher accord ing to the Fasli reckoning.

Efforts to form a federation of Aus tralia, New Zealand,Singapore and Hongkonghave not fructified so far, informs Sachinwalla. A group of six worked hard with other membersto prepare a constitution, he narrates. It was revisedfour times, but the pur ported membershave not confirmedacceptance nor given their comments,he rues. His conjecture is that the asso-

15Parsiana April 2000

ciations are "suspicious of each other for unknown reasons."

Commenting on the three-daydelib erations on the formation of a world body, the bluff seaman is willing to "lookat the other point of view," but is emphaticthat you must "also expressyour own clearly.(There should be) no false diplomacy when you want to es tablish a certain principle." At a meeting at Bombay Parsi Punchayet chairman Jamshed Guzder's officethat continued tilll 0 p.m. on the secondday, he says he "toldhim we want one world body, not two." He was displeased that "the WZO delegates insisted they had no authorityto deal with us. (If so) they were wasting our time ... In future if the WZO wants to deal with the world body they should send principal officers."

The Karachi born, Dufferin trained Sachinwalla was a masteron the Scindia shipsbefore he opted to serve as harbor pilot, initiallyat Karachi, then in Ghana and finallyin Singapore. In Australia he worked as a tug boat captain in the dredg ing section. With his late wife Helga,a Scandinavian lady (his mother called her Hornai) who wholeheartedly acceptedthe Zoroastrian way oflife,he took his family of four children for a two month trip to Iran, tape recorder and movie camerain hand, to record"how the Zoroastrian com munity functions" in Tehran, Kerman, Isfahan, Shiraz and Yezd.

Thenavjote of the first threechildren was celebrated in Singapore with Hongkong's Ervad Jal Kooka, Singa pore's Ervad Behrarn Vakil and two mobeds from Bombay officiating. "I inv,ited the heads of all the religious groups in Singapore because I wanted them to know that Zoroastrian culture was alive." The fourth navjotewas per formed by ErvadPeshotan Katrak in Sydney and Sachinwalla made sure that non-Zoroastrians saw it "in the authen tic way." Afterwards people said it was not authentic becauseit was not done in India, he laughs, disregarding the criti cism "because navjoteis a matter of satisfaction to the initiateand the par ents, not the community." Among the Sachinwallachildren school teacherHutoxy, who taught Sunday school for 10 years, and radiologist Toos are mar ried to non-Zoroastrians. The latter has two offspring. Electronics engineer Caevan is marriedto a Zoroastrian and they have three children.Ruxana owns

Having retired from the sea, Sachinwalla describes himself as a hypno-therapist and dowser (one who devines underground water)and con sults on energy clearing. There are two typesof energy, he says. "Electro-mag netic energy becauseof gadgets in the horne affects the human brain by slow ingit down, (resultingin) tiredness and fatigue in the morning." The second type is "earth energy. (If there are) black water veins under the house, (they lead to) various sicknesses and cancers." If caught in the early stages and shifted away from sleeping directly above such water veins, the patientsrecover, he claims. According to Sachinwalla much research in this directionis being con ducted in Germany, Britain and the US. He states he has been studying it for seven to eight years and still learning,though he is vice president of the Dowser Society of NSW which was established one-and-a-half years ago. A non-com mercial profession based on personal integrity and integrity of the society,he says they do not advertise.

"I like to get things moving," says

Sachinwalla.''I want to serve my com munity to the bestof my ability. If my community does not wishit, I'm willing to move away. I don't want to impose myself."

Afarewell to Ron

When Prof Rointan F. Bunshah lost his

gallant fight against leukemiaon October 24, 1999 colleagues, friends and former students joined the bereavedfamily in eulogizinghis long and varied serviceto education in general and to the Univ ersity of California at Los Angeles(UCLA) in particular. Cremated after the geh sama by Ervad Zarir Bhandaraand the deceased'sbrother Keki Bunshah, his ashes were bequeathed to the PacificOcean on whose shores he had lived, as per his wishes.

Seventy-one-year-oldBunshah's re search onvacuum metallurgy and coat ings was internationally recognized. During his 30 years as professorat UCLA's Schoolof Engineering and Applied Science Bunshah's dedication to departmental, school and campus ser vices, teaching and research had earned him the Distinguished Teaching Award of the School of Engineering in 1971, informs a press release. An authority on metals and alloys with significant con

ics, diamond coatings, etc, his prolific research resultedin 280 publications and the editorship of numerous books, notes the write-up from UCLA.

A former presidentand honorary life member of the AmericanVacuum Society (AVS), he was co-founder and first chairmanof their Vacuum Metal lurgy Division (VMD) in 1960. In 1983 the VMD-A VS established the R. F. Bunshah Award and Medalfor the best paper publishedannually.

At the memorial meet at the UCLA Faculty Center tributes were led by Frank

Wazzan, dean of the

School ofEngi neering and Applied Science, Jenn-MingYang,vice-chair UCLA, former ad junct professorDr Morris Steinberg, one of Bunshah's

Bunshah: many former PhD

honored teacherstudents Dr James

Parsons and UCLA

associate dean J. D. Mackenzie. They recounted the many professional plaudits that had come the way of Bombay-born, Benaras Hindu University (BHU) graduateand Carnegie Instituteof Technology doctorateBunshah through a crowded life which includedthe organizing of numerous national and international conferences.

Through it all Bunshahhad repre sented the BHU in cricket, was an active tennis player and a highlygifted violinist, playing with the Santa Monica Sym phony Orchestra (1969-77). An activemember of the Zarathushtrian Assembly (ZA) from its inception, Bunshahnever missed afunction, whetherit was Navroz, ho Zarathushtra' s birthday. Sadeh, gaharnbars or religious classes andremained one of the Assembly's teachers until his illness got the upper han , attested ZAfounder-director Dr Ali Jafarey, recalling Bunshah'saptitude for Parsi cookery which added to the flavor of potlucks at the Assembly.

Omar Khayyam' s poetry in the originalPersian as well as the English translation, accompanied by Iranian stringedinstruments, was recitedby Zhila Jalali, Farzad Firouzabadi and Bunshah's step-sonMoharnmead Tangestani along with recitations from the Gathas in English.

Bunshah is survivedby his wife Zoreh.

her own drama companywhere she pro

tributions to the deposition technologies

duces and directs skits, plays, etc.

16 Parsiana April 2000

encountered in semiconductors, cerarn-

Compiled by Arnavaz S. Mama

OBSERVATION

Fertile fortune

A hundred years after ArdeshirIrani planted the first chikoosaplings in Gholwad, his familycelebrate the successof his orchards

Lyla Nicholson

Our story goes· back to the year 1900 when a big dream took shape on a small plot of land in the village of Gholwad in Maharashtra. Christened Bague-Eram, Persian for 'Gardenof Paradise,' the farmwas pioneered by my great-great grandfather Ardeshir Irani who set up the very first chikoo and papanas (grape fruit) orchardin India, givingbirth to what is now the most fertile chikoo belt this side of the Atlantic. Today it is with great pride that my family celebrates the centenary of the farm where a flourish ing industry first took root.

Ardeshir was a second-generation Zo roastrian Iranian born in Bombay in 1856 to parents who had fled Iran, like many others,to escape oppression un der Muslim rule. He began life as a mill worker in his mid-teens. It was only years later that his destiny took a differ ent turn when his sister Shirinbaiintro duced him to Sir Dinshaw ManeckjiPetit who had a plethoraof exotic plants cultivatedin his garden at Nana Chowk. Among these was the chikoo sapling,a

SouthAmerican native alien to India. Ardeshir soon became indispensable to the Petit householdin his new role as estate manager.

In 1896 Petit gave Ardeshirthe task

of selecting a two-acre plot along the railway line any where between Palgharand Daman for the construction of a Parsi sanatorium. Ardeshir chose Gholwadfor its un touched coastalbeauty as well as proximityby rail. On suc cessful completion of the Parsi sanatorium,PetitgiftedAr

deshir the extra buildingmaterials for a

bungalow of his own in the same area, and it was this mission that brought Ardeshirto the birthplace of his calling.

Itis said that prayer may be you talking to God, but intuition is God talking to you. Ardcshir followedhis intuition and left Bombay with some chikoo saplings. He set up a smallchikoo garden on his modestone-acre plot around the bungalowand in due course was ableto purchase eight moreacres in the same area. Thus from a handful of saplings, a flush orchardwas born. Many of his fellow Iranianswho were forced

to flee their farmlandstook chikoo sap lings from Ardeshir. From the rich plains of Persia to the dark soil of the Deccan, they carried with them an inborn under standing of fruits and the earth,and farms spread like wildfire over

a thousand acres, all the way from Palgharto Umargaon.

Ardeshir worked into his mid 80s, passingaway in 1939, survived by his only son Homi and his wife Jaloobai,who also toiled till the age of 90 in the chikoo gardens. Homi'sson Keki, then a small boy, recalls

his grandfather well.He speaks of how Ardeshirused to wipe each leaf of his precious saplingswith his handkerchief and whisper lovinglyto each tree, a practice unheard of and scoffed at in those days. Today it has been scientifi cally proven that talkingto trees encour ages their growth and fertility. Once again, Ardeshirwas way ahead of his time, and little did he know it! Today mygrandfather Keki is also aged 80, as he continuesto live on the farm with his wifeKitty, my grandmother. Three gen erations dedicated to a farm that grew on love, fresh air and, of course, the chikoo.

Chikoopioneer Irani (ahove); the American native in India (top) Photo: VargheseFernandez and the j(unily residence Bague-Eram (alongside)

17 Pars;ana Apnl 2000

I have seen my grandfather Keki brood over those trees, tending to their diet and well-beingjust as his grandfa ther Ardeshir had done. As the sap flows from the branch to the fruit, the secrets of tending these redwoods trickleddown from generation to generation. Many a sleeplessnight was spent pacing up and down the bungalow, fretting over ap proachingstorms. Trips to see the grand childrenwere cancelled when his trees needed him more. Ardeshirbarely en joyed the rewardsof his labor, enduring years of hardshipbefore the trees gave fruit.My grandfather Keki had the privi-

lege of seeing the magic unfold, watch ing the saplings grow as he grew. The years have gone by. They have aged together. Gracefully. Symbiotically. The trees are nearly a centuryold, towering majestically above all other orchards in Gholwad where their saplingscontinue to bear fruit in reckless bounty.

The papanas·grove, planted and re planted by Ardeshir and Homi,with

Keki in tow, is now cleared for the tired soil to rest a few years. The chikoo trees have passedtheir prime, the annual crop is declining. The stormshave taken their toll, the fallen brancheshave returned to

the earth that nourished them, but the saplings Ardeshirfirst planted around the bungalow still stand strong. And the fruit tastes sweeterand sweeter with each passingyear. Give me a hundred to taste at the Bombay market, and I'll pick out the fruits of Bague-Eram from the others. Because I can taste the efforts of four generations in every slice.

Change is inevitable. Over five gen erations, life has takena different turn.

Mygrandparents Keki and Kitty have three children,but the family has scat tered all over the globe, with fourth and

fifth generation children settled in New York, Australia and New Zealand.

As we all come together to celebrate Bague-Eram's centennial year, we look forward to manysuccesses ahead and

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thank Ardeshirinour prayers forhis

service to family and community.Hun dreds of once destitute Zoroastrians have reaped from the seeds that Ardeshir sowed unselfishly way back in 1900. Seeds he sowed without the slightest intention of personal gain, but with the hope that those who came after him would prosper. And today, by the grace of God, Bague-Eram stands for 100 years of fertilityand prosperity.

With Best Wishes From

MrRusy M. Shroff,M.B.E.

and

MrsPurviz R. Shroff

18 Parsiana Apnl 2000

POLITICS AND POLICY

Thetussle for trusteeship

Candidates, trustees and press peopleall participated

in a keenly contested electioncampaign marred by muckraking

Text and photographs: Arnavaz S. Mama

ThefirstBombay Parsi Punchayet(BPP) trusteeship election of the 21st century was a fight to the finish. Of the 855 votes cast at the Khareghat Colony'sMuncher ji KhareghatHall on March 11, 2000 sitting trustee Silloo Kavaranabagged 429, beatingchallengerZarir Bhathena' s 406 by barely 23 votes. Unhappily, it reversed the trend for clean campaign ing of the past five electionswith stri dent attacks and counter attacksin the Parsi Press. Indeed,prominent mem bers of lam-e-lamshed Weekly's edito rial team and the editor of the fortnightly newsletterParsidom were actively in volved in trading charges.

Thepitch was queeredbecause Kavarana, 80, a much loved and re spected social worker,had earlier con veyedthe impression that she wouldopt for retirement, then changedher mind and decided to recontest. In the mean time reputed chartered accountant and joint honorarysecretary of the B. D. Petit ParseeGeneral Hospital (PGH) Bhathena, 49, who also has a stake in his family firm, Hilla Builders, had an nounced his nomination.

Toan extent this looked like a reen actment of the 1995 scenario when BPP chairmanJam shed Guzderhad reversed his original decision to retire and opted for reelection. On that occasionWorld Zoroastrian Organisation Trust'sman aging trusteeDinshaw Tamboly, who hadalready declared his desire to seek BPP trusteeship, withdrew,stating that he respectedGuzder too much to chal lenge him. Tamboly's restraint had earned him plaudits from the Press and public alike.

Unlike Tamboly, however, Bhathenadecided to continuewith the contest which was also joinedby Ervad Yezdi Panthaki, presidentof the Godrej Baug Residents' Association and Dara Kadva, editor and publisher of Parsidom, earn ing nine and twovotesrespectively.

19'1>arsiana Apn! 2000

(Nine votes were invalid.)

Serving on the managingcommittee of the PGHfor the past 15years, the last fiveasjoint honorary secretary, Bhathe na has also been associated with educa tional institutions throughZOSTA, the Zoroastrian StudentTeacher Associa tion. With quietconcern for the commu nity reflected in individual acts of ser vice and charity, Bhathenahad been proposed by ScyllaVatcha, trustee of the ManeckbaiJeejeebhoy Charitable Trust, amongst the richest and most ac tive donor trusts in Bombaytoday and seconded by Pesi Jagus, a retired ACC director who has been a long-time mem ber of the PGH managingcommittee. Bhathena's candidature was supported by doctors, lawyers,chartered accoun tants, educationists, dasturs (Dr) Firoze Kotwal and Kaikobad Dastoorof Udvada, industrialist Aspi Balsara as well as the Khareghat Colony and AderbadGroup. He was also the obvi ous favorite of the lame with associate editor Noshir Dadrawala and columnist Ruby Lilaowala campaigning with him at some of his electionaddresses, nota bly at Lalbaug and Godrej Baug.

Kavarana's supporters were largely

her CER (Committee for Economic Re vival) colleagues, fellow socialworkers and beneficiaries of her kindness and

concern. Legalluminary Nani Palkhivala had also endorsed her candidacy: "Thank God she has more stamina and greater will power than personsmany years younger to her - but above all, she cares and makesall her time available to those who are in need ..." Substantially involved wasnotedbusinessman Khushrooh Byramjee (who is Bhathena' s colleague on the PG H and Zoroastrian Bank boards).Businessman Zal Contractorconveyed his supportby way of a long letterin the lame berating Bhathena. Kavaranaalso enjoyed the covert support of several sitting trust-

ees.She was compared to FlorenceNightingale and Mother Teresa. P&O's Capt Jimmy Sarbh referredto her as "a faresta (angel) personified."

While Kavarana has been univer sally respected for her single-minded devotion to the cause of amelioratingsuffering whenever she encounters it, she has been perceived by her criticsas a simple person open to manipulation.That she soughtreelection for seven years at the age of 80 made people pause, especially when a suitably quali fied younger man was offering himself for community service. "Personally I am of the view that our community leaders should, after a maximum of 70 years of age, voluntarily relinquish of fice paving the way for other capableaspirants," wrote consumer activist and unsuccessful trusteeship candidate in the 1993pollsPhirozeAmroliwallainlame (March 5, 2000). Much the same mes sage wasconveyed in a letter from lame reader Gev Bharucha.

The usual apprehensions regarding a

professional man's ability to spare time for Punchayet work were voicedregard ing Bhathenawhich he had anticipated in his manifesto: "My professional train ing has taught methe value of time management. It is not how much one devotes but, it is rather how much does one achievein qualitative impact.Also I personally believe that a trusteeewho is all over the place at all times may be popular, but often not effective."

No sooner had Bhathena announced his candidature than Kadva, in attempts to belittle Bhathena. attackedthe PGH and its managing committee, tarring that august institution with numerous alle gations in his newsletter. Parsidom also questioned Bhathena' s professional eth icsand the involvement of Hilla Build ers in variousdeals.

In its issue of February29, Parsidom

asked the voters to decide "ifthey re-

spect seniority, veteran status, selfless service and proven track recordof Silloo Kavaranaor opt for an amateurish up start like Zarir Bhathena who -like his ilk in the rest of the country- believes that money is all that counts in life. Money buys votes, money buys Press, money buys journalists and columnists (not all anyway)and money can be used

to amassmoremoneythroughany means ...

"We know who and what Kavarana is, and therefore we know in advance what benefit we will get from her continuance as the only lady trustee of the BPP."

Such continuing support for Kavarana from one who claimed to be a contes-

Clockwise from top left (L toR): Kavarana and Guzder; Rusi Dhondy, Wania and Bhathena; Farrokh Kavarana (rear), Panthaki and supporters; Hector Mehta, Dina Go/walla, DinshawMehta and Byramjee;ailing voter helpedby social workers;Kadva and Phiroze Bookbinder

20 Pars1ana April 2000

L to R (top) Kavarana with Fredie Mehta and Pheroze Bugwadia; Bha thena andArdeshir Vazifdar. (Below)Bhathena pavilion and social workersoutside BPP stall, Mahakhurshid Byramjee(extreme left), Thrity Taleyarkhan (sari),Silloo Engineer (glares)and Amavaz Mistry( standing)

tant, particularly the statement that cop ies of the January 15 issue of Parsidom were mailed to all AnjumanCommittee (AC) members, drew flak from theJame: "Where did the moneycome from to print and post 1,600 additional copies which is more than double the regular print order? The same editor has been publicly grievingtime and again about the lack of regular advertising support... The genius of the BPP's omnipresenttrustee popularly known as 'Millennium Magician' is there for all to see, and has his signaturewritten all over the news letter (February 20)." A week earlier the Weekly's "political correspondent" asked, "Is the BPP really sucha gold

22 Parsiana Apnl2000

mine for vested interests that they will stoop to any level to see that the BPP board remains a closed club where only pliable individuals become and remain trustees in perpetuity?"

In the Jarne of February 13chartered accountant Hoshang Wania,a Bhathena supporter, raised the bogey of AC mem bers who had died but whose names continue on the registers, open for im personation. Harking back to the 1993 election of Kavaranawhen he had also beena contender, Wania wrote, "nearly a hundred Parsiswho were dead and gone...managed to cast their votes!" In the same letter Wania noted,"It is sad that Zarir is forced into a contestwith a lady (presently a sitting trustee)who had earlier told him that she was not interested in continuing for a second term. In fact Zarir asserts that he an nounced his name for the proposedcan didature only afterchecking with the lady (through Byramjee) if she was in terested. Of course, she may deny it." Wania goes on to explain thathe had had

a similar experiencein 1993.

Terming Wania's allegations, made afterseven years, "highly unethical"

BPP chief executiveBehram Dastur

noted that Wania had then "submitted a list of voters who, accordingto him, were dead ... Imagineour surprise when these so-called dead voters came to vote. After a properscrutiny by the indepen dent president and scrutineersofthe elections,they wereallowed to vote.''As a final squelch Dastur added, "...it is pertinentto note that in the 1993 elec tionsKavaranasecured624votesas against Wania's 337 votesandhence these allegations hardly matter(lame, February 20, 2000)." Nonetheless Wania urged the BPP to demand photo identi ficationfromeveryvoterbywayof passport,driving licence, club card, etc.

After accusing Waniaof alleging that

Kavarana had indulged "inimperson ation and bogusvoting" in 1993, M. F. Spencer (whom the Jame later dubbed a ghost writer) noted, "At one time she (Kavarana) did consider not standing in

favor of KhushroohByramjee but when he declinedfor personal reasons,she decided to stand again for a secondterm ...

"Wania has recently been appointed asjointauditorofthePGHbyBhathena ... Perhaps this was Wania'sway of saying 'thank you' to Zarir by attacking and maligning hisopponent... (February 20, 2000)."

A pained Bhathena noted in lame (February 27) "I do not know the person who is writing articlesun

der the nameof'political correspondent.' I have not

told Hoshang Waniato write any article in lame... Previ ously M/s Dalal, Desai and Kumana were the joint au ditors of the Hospitalfor the last many years. One month before the AGM M/s Dalal, Desai and Kumana had ex pressed their unwillingness to continue... Since Wania (previously a partner in M/s Dalal. Desai and Kumana) was handlingthe audit of the Hospital, the committee

thought it fit to appoint Wania as honor ary joint auditor of the Hospital and the saidappointment was approvedin the AGM. The said appointment was pro posed by KhushroohByramjee and sec onded by Pesi D. Baria... The Hospitalpays a paltry sum of Rs 10,000as hono rarium for the whole year's audit fees..." In the same letter Bhathenanoted, "Oneday before the announcement of my candidature (in November 1999) I asked Khushrooh Byramjee sinceKavarana was not contactable, as to whether (she) was standingfor reelec tion, andhe replied ... 'I have asked Silla aunty and she says that she is not inter ested for reelection.' And he told me to go ahead and announce my name as a prospective candidate." A month later rumors led Bhathena to seek a second clarification from Byramjeeandwas told that Kavarana "'has not made up her mind."' Bhathena continued, "Kavarana is going around tellingev erybody that 'Even afterZarir announced his candidature we have met at several social functions and there also Zarir did not ask me whether I was going to stand for reelection or not' ... I have no reason to doubt Khushrooh's words as, know ing him since the last two years I find him to be an honestperson with integrityand therefore I did not ask Kavaranain

23 Pars/ana Apri/2000

public." Bhathena urged Byramjeeto clarify the situation"because it is a ques tion of prestigeas to whetherZarir is speakingthe truth or is lying."

Confirming what Bhathena had stated regarding Kavarana' s earlier decision not to stand for reelection Byramjeeadded, "a lot of us hoped that some lady would come forwardwhocouldfill

H. Modi,Mehlli Kolah, onlooker, Hormuzdiar and Bhumgara tallying the figures

ladiesof our community. It was only when no person of any caliber came forward that several of her friendsand well-wishers prevailedupon her to seek another term and in about December 1999, a full three months before the election, she agreed and made her can didatureknown ...

"In any case I do not think that any one should base a decisionto stand for

election for serving the community on the basisof who his opponentis going to be (lame, March 5)."

Questioned lame reader JamsheedF. Mehtaon March 5, "If Khushrooh

Byramjee had filed his candidature, you

(Kavarana) would have not contested and then what would have happened to all the great socialwork that you want to continue to do as a trustee of BPP?"

Another lame reader RohintonC. Padder accusedKavaranaof"abdica

tion of authority" becauseshe had opted out of serving on the Wadia Baug's management committee(where the three seniormostBPPtrusteesjointhreemem bers oftheN. N. and R.N. Wadia Trust) in favor of co-trustee Dinshaw Mehta (March 5, 2000).

Kavarana's sternest critic had been lame columnist Ruby Lilaowala, ques tioning Kavarana's claims made in her statement(lame, March 5) and for the fact that Kavaranafailed to honor the invitation of the Godrej Baug and Khareghat Colony residents when these two organizations had invited all the candidates to present their views. In both cases the lady had sent a letter excusing herself on the basis of a prior commitment.Wrote Lilaowala, "Itis an

open secret that

Kavarana's self-appoin ted advisors have told her notto go to meetings or face voters because they know very well that she would stand completely exposed as their 'rubber stamp.' Though an ex cellent social worker,she has no leadership quali ties, has done nothing worthwhile in BPP in the last seven years and un derstands nothingthat's going on behind the scenes... Kavarana'sonly

fault seems to be that (she) allows her self to be easilymanipulated (lame, February 27)."

It turned out to be a case of overkill. Several ailing people came to cast their vote, amongthem a young lady on di

alysis who seemed determinedto repay

someof Kavarana' s kindness. As in the past,a fleet of cars were on standbyto fetch and return aged voters from and to their homes. Elderly donor voters rou tinely receive phone calls from candi dates atelection time offeringtransport, though on this occasiontraffic jams on Pedder Road substantially delayedtran sit. But Pesi Shroff (87) had come from Poona "for the sake of Silloo Kavarana (because) the old lady is workingvery hard."

Even so, of the 1,457 effective voters

of the AC, 307 donors and 547 elected members cast theirballots and 92 dupli cate certificates had been issued by the BPP staff.

The suspense was palpable as the votes were separated by the eight-mem ber team consisting of senior BPP staff together with independent scrutineers Homai Modi and Russy Bhumgara in the KhareghatHall in the presence of the candidates and theirrepresentatives and under the eagleeye of election president

continued on page 65

POLITICS AND POLICY

The returnof Kavarana

Silloo Kavarana's long years of social

work won her a second term on the BPP board

Arnavaz S. Mama

Like WinstonChurchill, Britain's doughty wartime primeminister, she fought an election at the age of 80-and won. Despiteher frail, white-robed per son, Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustee Silloo Kavarana illustrates the belief that Parsi womenare

intoit? The contest was betweenZarir and me! Guzder is the only living sethia," she adds.

Unhappy at the "character assassina

tion" during the election campaign, Kavarana says she advised her support ers, "keep up your dignity,

Kavarana describes how each of the bunglis was adopted by a committee member e.g. Arnavaz Mistry worked on the Wadia Bungli, Silloo Engineer on Albless and Mahrukh Noble on Hodiwalla;Kersasp Mistry from the Pallonjigroup of companiesprovided

strong and will not easily take don't .answer." Disclaiming

'no' for an answer.anyconnection with Parsi-

A lifetime of socialser- donz editor-publisherDara

vice has earnedKavarana her Kadva' s strident attackson

position as materfamiliasof the B. D. Petit Parsee Gen-

the Parsi community - a era! Hospital(PGH) and its

mantle once possessed by the managingcommittee,Ka-

late Lady Hirabai Cowasji varana expressed her belief

Jehangir. She is a trustee of that they stemmed from "his

the Sir Ratan Tata Institute problemwiththe Hospital

(RTI),a committee member and (trusteeshipcandidate ofthe Red Cross Society, the Kavarana: doughty Zarir) Bhathena." Referring leader of the group that en-· and strong-willed to an earlier Parsidom ar- sures the welfare of patientsPhoto: Amavaz s. Mama ticlc on the RTI by way of at the J. J. Hospital'sParsi illustration,Kavaranare- Ward and a committee memberof the callshaving advised Kadva "tomake

F. D. Petit ParsiSanatorium. Did she sure beforewriting," because even on really need to be a member of the BPPthat occasion he had "written before

the paint and the Tata and Carnac nurs

eriesgave dozens of plants; Mithoo Jesia broughtin a donation for stained glass at the sagdi.

Crediting the contributions of her co

trustees at Doongerwadi, Kavaranasays

DinshawTamboly concentrates on dokhma cleaning.The new scheme of volunteernassessalars in Bombayis Tamboly' s contribution, says Kavarana, appreciating his "great interestin doing work."

However, the evictionofthetres

passersat Doongerwadi, who had estab lished themselves, in what looked like a hut but later turned out to be a well furnished abode of two to three rooms, was largely Dinshaw Mehta's contribu

board of trustees to continue what she has been doing?

"Authority is really needed," affirms Kavarana, referring to her experience at Doongerwadi in 1984: "(Dr) Nelie (Noble) used to lookafter the Doonger wadi garden. When she retired (as BPP trustee) I wanted to take it up," but the workmen were reluctant to take in structions from her. Not that she would have abandonedher work if the elec toral mandate had beendenied to her. "I would have continued with the BPP committees even if I was not elected," she says,her serenity unaffected by the prospect.

"It was the first article in the Jame regarding Zarir (Bhathena)that made me enter the contest," she says. It made her decide to "go and prove" whether she was untruthful or they. She is also riled that BPP chairman Jamshed Guzder was attacked in the politicking. "I went on my own. Why did they bring Guzder

consulting us.''

Kadva, who had also announced his candidacy, had at one stage declaredthat he would withdraw. "Itold him, 'if you withdrawI'II also withdraw.' (If he withdraws)it looks bad on my part. People would accuse me of playing poli tics which I didn'twant to do."

Involved, as all seven trustees are, in the allotment of BPP flats, Kavaranasays she has taken it upon herself to visit thehomes of provisional allottees to ensure that the allotment is genuinely required. Apart from that she works on the Punchayet' s Doongerwadi, Parukh Dharamshalla, Gamadia Boys' Hostel committees as also those overseeing educationand social welfare benefits for the community, notes her manifesto.

Muchwork has been accomplished in recent years at the Doongerwadi - the bunglis havebeen spruced up with fresh paint and new accessories, the gardens enlivenedwith new plantings.

tion, says Kavarana.Rustam Tirandaz had first brought the issue to the community's attention. Armed with a courtorder, before a stay could be ob tained by the respondents, Mehta and Tirandaz went with a truck and physi cally got their paraphernalia removed. Some payment to mitigatetheir hard ship was paid by Mehta on the spot and the BPP subsequently agreed to pay a compensation of five lakhrupees. "From

9 a.m. to 10 p.m. kern e chokro doryoch

(this boy was on the move)!"

According to Kavarana, it is thanks to Mehta that three buildings in Panthaky Baug are nearing completion. Because he is the "only one who runs for permis sions." He also prevailed upon thePunchayet"(to get) rid of litigation be cause we were spendinglakhs on law- yers while the law is in favor of tenants ... Heiswronglyblamed ... Weneedfunds ... according to law (now) pagdi (compen sation by the incoming tenant to the

24Parsiana April 2000

outgoing tenant and the landlord is per missible). Everythinggoes into the BPP coffers by cheque, everything is passed by the board," she notes. Mehta, who is one of the three BPP trustees on the Wadia Baug's board of management, hasevenconvincedNusli Wadiatocom promise with unauthorized tenants in return for donationsto the Trust. says Kavarana.She rates Tirandaz's knowl edge of developments highly.

Happily building bridges betweenthe Punchayet andunderprivileged members of the community since her initialelection in 1993,Kavarana

register their appreciation with gifts to thenursing staff and dhobi. A fallow area on the first floor above the Ward is ideal for an extension but the J. J. Trust and the social workersare looking to wards the Hospital for a commitment of 12 more staff members to service the additionalpatients. says Kavarana.If and when that assuranceis received the Trust and the socialworkers will work toward making it habitablefor an in creased number of patients.

Kavarana andhergroupofladies arrange to take these patients in the

Parsi Ward to the

makes herself available at the Punchayet office between3 and 6 p.m. every Thursday. But people are known to contact her even at odd hours of the night when faced with an emer gency. When a lady with high bloodsugar levels fainted recently,

"Everything goes into the BPP coffers by cheque,

everything is passed by the

board"

atash behram twice a year in the months of Ardibehest and Adar, transporting them in their cars, along with the wheelchairs where required. "Nowthey want to go to Udva da!" she laughs.

With amplefaith in the "power of prayer

the family panicked and phoned Kavarana whose happy contact with Aban Petit, vice presidentof the PGH, enabled the patient to be hospitalized "even at mid night.''

The J. J. Hospital's Parsi Ward seems to be Kavarana' s favorite institution though she doesn'tsay so. Her conver sationhowever often veerstowards those poor inmateswhom their familiessome times tend to forget.With accommoda tion for 33, Kavarana says shetransfers chronic cases encumbering the PGH to the J. J. Parsi Ward when vacancies arise. Currently there are two young men, drug addicts,whom Kavarana res cued, one each from the mental hospi tals in Poona and Thana. Detoxified in

J. J.'s psychiatric ward, they sometimesregress. At the age of33, the brain of one ofthem has shrunk,resulting in restricted body movement, informs Kavarana. Though he has a brotherand sister in Vancouver who send money for his maintenance, he has no one locally and "people take advantage," notes Kavarana referring to some unprincipled people's nefariousattempt to raise funds in his name. Kavarana only came to know about the venturewhen a prospective donor decidedto double-check on the appeal'sauthenticity.

TheParsi WardgotaJ. J. award as the cleanestin the entire Hospital, Kavarana notes with satisfaction. The social work ers and theJ. J. Trust that runs the Ward

25Parsti3ma Apnl 2000

and Khodaiji" Kavarana says she had always counselled her children, "thoru bi bhano (pray even a little)." Her son Farrokh,a chartered accountant and MBA who is now executivedirectorofTELCO, had been religious-minded since child hood. Her daughterGoolu Austin, a speech therapistsettled with her husband Marazban and sons Phiroze. Nowroze and Aashishin Ontario, Canada,became religious after marriage and motherhood and now conductsreligion classes in her home and wants her children to marry within the community. Both the Kavarana children were stillstudying when their father Kaikhushroo died.The framed photographof her three grown-up grand sons sits prominently in her drawing room.

Content with her family and her work Kavarana says, "Idon't keep a grudge.

I just forget." When the RTI staff gheraoedher because they had been denied a bonus, she spent two placid hours in "dookh-sukh ni vaato(sharing tales ofjoy and sorrow)," then persuaded the management to accede to a certain percentage for bonus for the staff.

"Gariboni tau kharekhar laagni che

(the poor have genuinelove and appre

ciation)," says the lady, her eyes mistingover as she recalled their good wishes and how some peoplecame to vote for her despite severe ill ness and/or disability. She felt that her labor of love had been requited.

With best wishes

from

Farah

Tanya

POLITICS AND POLICY

"Never touch any institution"

The attacks on the B. D. Petit Parsee GeneralHospital were out of line, says unsuccessful BPP challenger ZarirBhathena

Arnavaz S. Mama

Elevendays after the event, successful chartered accountant Zarir M. Bhathena reviews his lost foray in the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trusteeship elec tion. That he failedto attniC:t the majority vote is not what hurts as much as the "mudslingingof15-20days," particularly the attacks on the

B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital(PGH) where he of

ficiates as joint honorary sec retary. He also realizesthat his inability to controlsome of his supporters resultedin sympathy votes for his oppo nent.

indispensable. Peopledie. Then what happens? Peopleshould be clear about the remarks/points they put on the file. (For example)there should be transpar ency regardingthenumberofpoints allotted to housing allottees and others on the waitinglist under each

head, givingthe breakup of

the total number of points." He believes this demand in his manifestoalienated the BPP staff.This reaction has confirmed his perception of the need for changeof portfo lios among them.

Some years ago Bhathena

vestments by way of a chequedonation to the Hospital. He has also been criti cizedbecausetheHospital'schemist shop was not entrusted to a Parsi.But when Parsis were asked to quote the returnthattheHospitalcouldexpect from them, they responded with Rs 8,000 permonthwhiletheCumballaHill Chemist who runs the pharmacyoffered Rs 50,000 per month to the Hospital in 1995, explainsBhathena. ''They know howto do business."They employed fiveboys on cycles to deliver to the residents aroundthe Hospital. They are not allowed to charge more thanthe maximum retailprice and the shop is

Bhathena speaks of "oneBhathena:No

principle in one'slife... never appreciation

touch any institution."Ac-in the community

cordingly, he says he had toldPhoto: Arnavaz s. Mama

his volunteers not to drag any

had found that the quantum of meat ostensibly supplied to the Hospital did not tally with the disbursal figures.Even after allowingfor wast

open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and half-day

on Sunday whereasthe in-house phar macy department of the Hospital (which the shop has replaced) had functioned only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bhathena

of the institutions with which Silloo Kavaranaisconnected,viztheRed

Cross, Sir Ratan Tata Institute(RTI), Parukh Dharamshalla, etc into contro versy. ''My supporters did not touch them," he notes with some satisfaction. He recalls that a former inmate had complained to him about the rise in charges at the Parukh Dharamshalla which he had been unable to meet. Bhathena says he told the man, "You can't expect everything free."

Most of these institutions have labor

problems, as does the PGH, he notes.He is happy with one plus point of the labor agreement currently in force at the Hos pital wherethe union has agreed to rota tion of staff. "It is a major achievement due to (noted labor lawyer)Maneck Gagrat, (joint honorary secretary)Hec tor Mehta and other members ofthe labor committee," Bhathena notes his appreciation, for it is his beliefthat "if a personsits for 10-15 years in one posi tion he/she becomes arrogant."

Bhathena applied the same reason ing to the BPP when he stressed rotation of staff in his manifesto. "No one is

age the discrepancy was too high. Un

able to get tothe root of the problemhe says he reached the Hospital one morn ing before the mutton deliverytruck arrived at 4.30 a.m. and hopped on to it as soon as it enteredthe compound. Supervising the delivery he found the carcasses floating in large tubs of water from which they were lifted and placed on the scales for weighing. By the time the cooks began working on them, sev eral hours later, the carcasseshad dried out, sheddingthe weight of the water. Bhathena says he appraisedthe manag ing committeewho terminated the con tract with the supplier immediately there after and found a more honorableone. Despite being caught red-handedthe fraudulent supplier vilifiedBhathena on the community grapevine but the latter says he didn'tcare so long as the Hospi tal benefitted.

Another unpopular decision of the

board was to invest the funds donatedto it directly and not through the Punchayet. In the process Bhathena says he got the broker to return 85 percentof the com mission earned by him from PGH in-

emphasizes the plus points of the deal,

adding with a trace of asperity,"Prag

matic appreciation is not there in our community."

Another PGH issue that was flailed

again and againwasthatitscurrent medical administrator is a non-Parsi. "We believe that theHospital shouldwork whether (the incumbent) is a Parsi or non-Parsi," says Bhathena noting that the post had been advertised in the lame as well as The Times of Indiabut no suitable Parsi doctor was forthcoming.'

Accused by Parsidomof bulldozing his decisionsat the PGH, Bhathena men tions some of the individuals who are part of the PGH managing committee: ''We have individualpersons well-known in their own field, havingindependent minds of theirown like (chartered accountant) Yezdi Malegam, (solicitor) Jangoo Gagrat, (attorney and tax expert)Homi Ranina. They are not the types who can be bull dozed!" The extent to which medicalser vice is subsidizedat the PGH can be gauged by the figures profferred: As against the cost per bed, per day of Rs I ,054, hospital patientsat the upper end

26Parsiana Apn! 2000

pay Rs 600. Only in the extensionA Wing do the charges range betweenRsI ,000 to

1.200. "'Where will the poor and middle class personsof our community he if the Parsec General Hospital is not there?" Bhathenaasks pointedly.

Questioned about the overt support of lo111/ associate editor Noshir Dadra wala and columnist Ruhy Lilaowala. Bhathcna says.

··They were never

my people. They have an independent mind of their own and they arc senior persons:· adding.

··As any community

man I would see the Ju111/ on Sunday morning.I did not know what was go mg to he puhl ishcd

"'Never fight with a journalist because the journalist always has the last say!"

Bhathena says when he announced

his candidacy, Parsidom started ma ligningthe Hospital. "Iwrote to him(Kadva) saying don·t tarnish the Hospi tal, say about me. He went to the extent of going to the Company Law Board andstating in his magazinethat Hilla Build

ers (Bhathena's

lamilyconcern) is bankrupt and filing a loss for the last three years!" Ex plaining thatac cording to chartered accountancy con vention a construc tion company can iollow eitheroftwo methods - book ing profits as they

Do you have a G6PD enzyme deficiency?

The G6PD enzyme defi ciency, commonamong the Parsis, makes them highly susceptible to certain drugs.* The deficiency may cause jaundice in the newborn and severe hemo lytic crisis (destruction of red blood cells) in adults. Ask yourfamilydoctorto arrange for a blood test to detectwhether you have G6PD enzyme deficiency. If you happen to be a G6PD-D patient, it is essential that

until Sunday morn

ing.·· Bhathena note" that Dadrawala and

Lilaowala were in-

Rhathena (center) vithwife Jasmin

(right) andsupporters Lilaowala ( le.fi){{lid Dadrawala

<iccrue, or when the

project is completed after perhaps three

or three-and-a-half

you carry your card at all times so that in any emer

gency you would receive

vited to speak by the associations and haugs who organized his meets with their members.This he says happened at Lalbaug. MalcolmBaug, Panthaky Baug. Godrej Baug and Dadar but he cause of the controversy that arose '"Khareghat Colonyorganizers did not call Ruby or Noshir." He claims that Jal Rabadi of Nowroz Baug. Khurshed Dastur at Panthaky Baug and Silloo Mahava at Dadar ParsiColony would vouch for his statement.

''At the very first meetingat Lalhaug,

Dadrawala introduced me. Lilaowala went all out againstSilloo Kavarana and Jamshcd Guzder. I told her I don't agree. I believeif persons are absent their im age shouldnot he tarnished. They should begiven a chance to defendthem set ves. But there was no moderator to stop her." Bhathena tracesKadva' s vendetta against him to the time when a large tree was felledin the PGH compound. He says they had taken the permission of the Bombay Municipal Corporation and according to its rules planted five trees in place of the one felled. Kadva, then working for Jame, reported that no per mission had heen taken and held to his story despitePGHrejoinders.When Nanabhoy Jeejeehhoy.aPGHdonor came to know of the articlesin lame he reportedly put an end to them. "Kadva left (the lame) onthatnoteandstill carries a grudge," statesBhathena rue fully recallingveteran solicitor Rustamji Gagrat's advice to him on that occasion:

27 Pars1ana Apnl 2000

years -Bhathena clarifies that in the intervening periodroutine expenses are debited showing a loss of Rs I 0,000- 15,000 per year. "Without verifying the facts. he (Kadva) just printed it!"

Quoting an oldIndianadagethat

"trust work shouldbe handled by a person whose stomach is full," Bhathena registers his contentment with his busi ness and professional practice. With his wife Jasmin helping him in the con struction businessand his only son Berges in H. R. College, Bhathenasays he has no intention of earning so much "ke mari paach pehri khae (that five generations after me can survive) with out doing anything ... Hence he took up community work at the Hospital "be cause of the crying need for medical aid." Refusingto spread himselfbeing trusteeof seven or eight trusts,Bhathena says he "always believed you do one thing properly." Thus every Saturday from 10a.m. to 2 p.m. he is at the Hospital with the committee membersand also attending to core committee meetings on odd days held at Gagrat's or Mehta's or Khushrooh Byramjee's office.

''Disheartened by the mudslinging"

Bhathena says he is so far unable to respond to people who ask if he will stand again. What should lend him some cheeris the historical record that Bombay Parsis had rejected even such stalwarts as Sir Phcrozeshah Mehta and A. D. Shroff. By thatreckoning he is in august company.

appropriate treatment.

*Analgesics: Anetanilid, Acetylsalicylic acid, Asprin,Acetophe netidin (Phenacetin), Antipyrine, Pyramidone.

Sulfonamides and Sulfones: Sulfanilamide, Sulfapyridine, N2 Acetylsulfanilamide, Sulfaceta mide, Sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), Thiazolsuldone, Salicylazosul fapyridine (Azulfadine), Sulfoxone, Sulfamethoxypyridine (Kynex).

Antimalarials: Primaquine, Pama quine, Pentaquine, Quinacrine (Atabrine).

Nonsulfonamide antibacterial agents: Furazolidone, Nitrofu rantoin (Furadantin), Chloram phenicol, Para-aminosalicylic acid.

Miscellaneous: Napthalene, Vitamin K (Water soluble analogues), Prodenecid, Trinitro toluene, Methylene blue, Dimer caprol (BAL),Pheny-lhydrazine, Quinine and Quinidine; Sulpha containing compounds including Septran, DDS and Daraprim; Nitrodurantoin, Nalidixicacid including all derivatives of this group, Antistine, Diphenylhy dramine, Pronestyl, Nitrites. Large doses of Chloroquine, Chloromy cetin, Vit. C &K.

Published in the public interest by Parsiana

COMMENT

No voters,no voice

Unless the electoral collegeis expanded the community will remain indifferent to its affairs,states the author

Ruby Lilaowala

Over 200 years ago, Edward Gibbon in his book Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire had offered reasonsas to why that civilization had deteriorated, with ered and finally died.One of the reasons was that the leaders of the communityundermined the dignityand sanctity of their post. Gibbon had asked what hope any society has when its leaders become worthy of disdain insteadof admiration!

History has the unfortunate habit of repeatingitself. The last Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trusteeship elections provided a new low.

The BPP is a 350-year-old institu tion with a glorious past. A lot of eminent Parsis have been on its board of trustees. It was a greatprestige for anyone to becomea trustee of the BPP but what is the positiontoday? Yes, a certain amountof prestige is still there in being a trustee but it is diminishing and always there is some loose talk about some trusteeor the other, some of it true,some false! I squarely blame the trustees of the last 50 years or so for bringing about this change in people's perception of them. The need of the houris complete "transparency" and "accountability" which is miss ing as can be illustrated by a few examples.

Housing aspirants are allotted"po ints," the principle being that the most needy or deservingpersons should get the maximumnumber of points so that houses can be allottedto them. The waiting period is also taken into consid eration. Fair enough.

Butall the housingaspirants must know by a properly generatedcomputer statement at least once in six months where exactly they stand. The statement should show essentialdetails like dates of all applications, names and addresses, points allotted to each applicantin the last six months,brief reason for allot ment of points and the rank in which

28 Parsiana April 2000

they stand. This is called "transparency." The flats in Cusrow Baug are trans ferred on the 60:40 system. The tenant who vacates the flat gets 60percent and the trust gets 40 percent by cheque. But thesedealsaremadeina hush-hush manner without calling for bids. What is onetopresumeundersuchcircum stances? Flats are also sold to the NRis (Non Resident Indians)under the above scheme. These NRis will keep the flats locked up for 11 monthsof the year. Is

that fair?

Shops in some baugs frequently

change hands. We know that businesses can be legallysold but each new shop that comes spends lakhs in renovations, moves walls, builds lofts and mezza nines for which permission is required from the trust and the same seems to be readily available on the tap for them.

The question ishow much "good

will" have the trusts collected before giving permission to renovate and where is it shown? If no "goodwill" has been collected, then why has it not been col lected as per market practice?

Why are dozens of flats kept locked?

In spite of these matters comingout in the Press, the trusts are silent. How come?

The election process

Can you believe that out of 55,000 Parsis

in Bombay, only 1,600 i.e.less than three percent of the Parsishave a right to vote in the trusteeship elections? Out of these 1,600, if you take awaythose who have expired or have become very old or infirm, the voting strength drops to two percent or nearer that figure.

Since 1947, there have been a dozen electionsbased on Universal AdultFran chise (UAF) to our parliament, state legislatures and civic bodiesbut we Parsis who are the most literate and educated communityin India are denied voting rights for electingtrustees to our apexbody.Thisisnotonlysadbut

pathetic. In the UK, North America and Australia,the Parsis adopt the proper democraticprocess.

At present, only 800 donor members and 800 AnjumanCommittee members have voting rights against the present community strength of 55,000 in Bom bay. Much is made of the"rights" of donor members but by contributing only Rs 15,000(previously only Rs 5,000).

how does the donor acquire rights over theBPP funds and estate runninginto not hundreds of croresbut probably a few thousandcrores at today's market price? The argumentis advanced that thedonors ensure who the trusteesare and whether their donatedmoney will be managed well before partingwith money and hence some rights accrue to them (the donors). This is stretching the thought processa bit too far.

I may decide to giveRs 25,000 to the

Parsee GeneralHospital after convinc ing myself that it is a well-managed Hospital but doesthat confer any rights on me to interfere in the workingof the Hospital if subsequently, God forbid, Ifindthat it is not managedwell? A donation is a donation-one gives it with the best of intentions and forgets about it!

Also, the trusteesof the BPP say that

onlythe Bombay High Court can change the present patternof voting. The BPP has recently put a proposalbefore the Bombay High Court for electing two Anjuman members for every donor member i.e. they want to make the scheme in the ratio of 2: 1 insteadof the present 1:1. Good, but they couldalso make it 5:1 or 6:1. No court in this country will object to extending the prin ciple of UAF to the citizens of this country in any election, big or small. It is only the reluctance on the part of the majority trusteesthat prevents the elec toral college beingexpanded.

continued on page 65

CONGRESS 2000

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Congress Co-Chairs

Dolly Dastoor Homi M. Davier

Congress Co-Vice Chairs Ardeshir Anoshiravani Sarosh J. H. Manekshaw

FEZANA President

Framroze K. Patel

ZAH Representative

Yasmin S. Pavri

FEZANA Congress Chair

Jamshed B. Mistry

Treasurer

Sarosh J. Collector

STEERING COMMITTEE

Awards

Dinshaw F. D. Joshi

Entertainment Gordafrid Aresh Fereshteh Khatibi

Fund Raising

Yasmin Ghadiali

International Relations

Rohinton M. Rivetna

International Representatives

Mahyar Ardeshiri - Iran Toxy Cowasjee - Pakistan

Katayun K. Kapadia - Europe Sam Kerr - Australasia

Dorab Mistry - U.K.

Homai N. Modi - India

Medical

Katie Irani

Operations Pervin Sagar Roshan Sethna

Program

Religious Track

Pallan R. lchaporia

Social and CulturalTrack

Kaemerz P. Dotiwala Youth Track/Future Arash Anoshiravani MazdaAntia

Eric Engineer Shanaya Godiwalla Armaity Homavazir Aaron Rustom

Zarathushtra's Vision

Mehrborzin Soroushian

Public Relations

Roshan Rivetna ban Rustomji

egistration & Hospitality

ustom Engineer arioush Vafadari

ustom Khosravian

ENERAL COUNSEL

yrus Mehta

ONGRESS SECRETARIAT

rnavaz Sethna

32 Parstana Avri/2000

CO-CHAIRS

Dolly Dastoor 3765 Malo

Brossard QUE J4Y 1B4 CANADA

Tel: 450.656.2036Fax: 450.462.4638

Email: dastoor@total.net

Homi Davier

6654 SW Freeway Houston, TX 77074 USA

Tel: 713.339.2222 Fax:713.339.2223

Email: davier5@aol.com

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Rohinton M. Rivetna, 5750 South Jackson Street, HinsdaleIL 60521 Tel: 630.325.5383 Fax: 630.734.1579 Email: rivetna@lucent.com

INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Iran Dr. Mahyar Ardeshiri, 8 Zarthoshtian Street,Mirza Koochak Khan St., Jamboori, Tehran 11316 Tel: 98 21 635 905 Fax:98 21 635 905

India Homai N. Modi, K.R. Cama OrientalInstitute, 136 Mumbai Samachar Marg, Opp. Lion's Gate, Mumbai 400 001

Tel: 91.22.284.3893Fax: 91.22.287.6593

Pakistan Toxy Cowasjee, 2 A Mary Road, Bath Island, Karachi75530

Tel: 92.21.586.7088 Fax:92.21.586.1005 Email:toxy@cyber.net.pk

United Kingdom

Dorab Mistry, 88 Compayne Gardens,London NW6-3RU

Tel: 0207.328.6018Fax: 0207.625.1685 Email: godrej@globalnet.co.uk

Europe Katayun Kapdia,24 Rue Felicien David, 78100 Saint Germain En Laye, France Tel: 33.1.34.51.04.60 Email:KKatayun@aol.com

Australasia

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Sam Kerr, The Medical Centre, Suite 6C, 66 High St., Radwick, NSW 2031, Australia

Tel: 61 2 9398.4355 Fax: 61 2 9398.9150Email: simica@ozemail.com.au

Aban Rustomji

526 Woodbend Lane, Houston,TX 77079

Tel: 281.493.1275 Fax:281.493.6145

Email: rustomji@tenet.edu

Roshan Rivetna

5750 South Jackson Street,Hinsdale, IL 60521 Tel: 630.325.5383 Fax:630.734.1579

Email: rivetna@lucent.com

REGISTRATION AND HOSPITALITY

Rustom Engineer

2703 Briar Cliff Ct., Sugar Land, TX 77479 Tel: 281.265.5070 Fax:281.265.7999

Email: rustome@aol.com

Darioush Vafadari

PO Box 820426 Houston, TX 77282-0426

Tel: 281.589.1324Fax: 281.589.2671

Email: eisflow@aol.com

SPORTS

Rustom Khosravian

8787 W. Airport Blvd., Houston, TX 77071 Tel: 713.779.0330 Fax:713.779.0330

Email: rkhosravian@simsci.com

Artemis Javanshir

10496 Wilkins Ave., Los Angeles CA90024

Email: ajavanshir@aol.com

SECRETARIAT TO THE CONGRESS

Arnavaz Sethna,2603 West Pebble Beach, Missouri City, TX 77459 Tel: 281.499.1832 Fax:281.499.2697 Email:ahsethna@yahoo.com

SEVENTH WORLD ZOROASTRIAN CONGRESS

8787 West Airport Blvd., Houston, TX 77071 Tel/Fax: 713.779.0330

http://www.fezana.org

33 Pars1ana Apnl 2000

-------------------- v

SEVENTH WORLD ZOROASTRIAN CONGRESS REGISTRATION FORM

SECTION I - PERSONAL INFORMATION

Last Name: First Name: M.l._ Phone: (Home) (Work)Address 1 Fax: (Circle: Home I Work)

Address 2 E-Mail: (Home)

City: St: ZIP: Country: (Work)SECTION II - CONGRESS REGISTRATION AND MEAL TICKETS (SEE NOTES 3 AND 6): REFERENCEDNOTES AND GENERAL NOTES:

No DESCRIPTION: PERSON NO. 1: PERSONNO. 2: PERSON NO. 3:PERSON NO. 4: Note 1: Make check payableto:

1 Last Name I Surname ZOROASTRIAN ASSOCIATION OF HOUSTON (WZC-2000)

2 First Name I Middle Initial Note 2:Mail the completedRegistration Form with payment to:3 Type of Meal: Veg./ Non-Veg.(Circle) Veg. I Non- Veg. Veg. I Non- Veg. Veg.I Non- Veg. Veg. I Non- Veg. ZOROASTRIAN ASSOCIATION OF HOUSTON

4 Navar willing to participate in Jashans Yes: D No: D Yes: D No: D Yes: D No: D Yes: D No: D 8787 WEST AIRPORTBOULEVARD

S[Age I Sex (Optional) I I I I HOUSTON, TX.77071 (U.S.A.)

6 Congress Registration Fees $ $ $ $ Note 3:Congress Registration Fees:

7 Lunch on Dec. 28 Included Included Included Included If Rec'd BeforeJune 1, 2000: General: us $151

8 Dinner on Dec. 28, US $40 $ $ $ $Students with I.D:us $1019a Women's Lunch, Dec. 29, US $25$ $ $ $ If Rec'd After June 1, 2000: General:us $2019b Business Lunch, Dec. 29, US $35 $ $ $ $Students with I.D: us $12510 Dinner for Dec. 29 & Lunch for Dec.30 Included Included Included Included After Dec. 20,2000: If Space Permits: us $25111 Millennium Dinner/Dance Dec :31. US $75 $ $ $ $Note4: Sports Registration Fees:

12 SUB-TOTAL for CongressIMeals: $ $ $ $ If Rec'd Before June 1, 2000: Individual: US $25 for all events.

SECTION Ill-SPORTS REGISTRATION (SEE NOTES 4 AND 5) Family: US $75 for all events.

13 Sports Registration Fees $ $ $ See Note 5 If Rec'd After June 1, 2000 Individual: US $35 for all events. 14 Breakfast & Lunch for Dec.26. US $10 $ $ $ $ but Before Sept. 30, 2000: Family: US $90 for all events. 15 Breakfast & Lunch for Dec.27. US $10 $ $ $ $ Breakfast & Lunch: US $10 per person, per day.16 SUB-TOTAL for Sports I Meals $ $ $ $ Sports for kids under 9 years are free but they must pay

SECTION IV -TOURS (CIRCLE DATE BELOW AND SEE NOTE 7) for breakfastand lunch.

17 Tour A, US $55: Dec. 26 or Dec.30	$ $ $ $ Note 5:	Person No.4 is free only when 3 of the same family regist
18 Tour 8, US $85: Dec. 27 or Dec.30	$ $ $ $ Note 6:	Optional Meal Tickets for registrants must be purchased
19 Tour C, US $85: Dec. 29	$ $ $ $	with this registration. Meal Tickets to non-registrants will
20 SUB-TOTAL for Tours:	$ $ $ $	be issued on an "As Available " basis only.

er.

SECTION V - PAYMENTS AND METHOD OF PAYMENT (SEE NOTES 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12) Note 7:Eachtour needs a minimum of 35 peopleto operate.

21 Add Payments from Rows 12, 16 & 20 $ $ $ $ Note 8:Only registered attendeeswill be allowedinto sessions.

22 Sub-Total for Persons 1, 2, 3 & 4 $ ··-Note 9: Registration deadlinesshall be strictlyenforced. §

23 Additional Donations $ Note 10: To guarantee reservations, full payment must accompany (\j

24 GRAND TOTAL US$: $ Registration Form. No registrations guaranteed after

25 Payment Method: Check One

D Check In US $only D Visa D MasterCard D Money Order

Dec. 1, 2000.

"';

Ill

-c::

26 Print CreditCard Holder's Name Note 11: Cancellations received after Nov. 1, 2000, will be charged

27 Credit Card Number -- -- -- a 10% cancellation fee. All cancellations must be in writing. 28 E>q>iration Date Month: Year: Note 12: No Refunds will be made after De . 15, 2000.

Note 13: WZC 2000 Phone I Fax No. is: 713-779-0330.

(""")

?Q n:al'lit f'!:irrl Un11"14r'r C:in .... +•••- y; -

Awards will be presentedto an Outstanding World Zarathushti, to a Zarathushti Youth for Outstanding Leadership and to other Zarathushtis for Humanitarian Serviceand/or Philanthropy, for Excellence in Business or Profession and for Excellence in Performing Arts or Literature.

GLOBAL SCHOLASTIC COMPETITION

A scholastic essay competition, with a first prize of $5,000 and a second prize of $3,000 is open to all the Zarathushti youth between the ages of 17 and 21.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT

A variety of entertainment including three banquetsis planned for the Congress. The themesfor the eveningare:

Our Heritage

Our Western Culture The Millennium Ball

In addition, talent in the performingarts will be showcased.A

Zarathushti orchestrawith musicians from around the world will perform at the variousceremonies. A classicalballet will be performed to Zarathushti themes.

Art by Zarathushti artistswill be on display. LEGACY AND SPECIAL PROJECTS

Books that will be unveiled:

A Zarathushti's Guide to the Gathas.

A Zoroastrian Tapestry - Art, Religionand Culture. The Concordance of the Gathas.

Philosophy of Zarathushtra.

Memoirs of a Beloved Iranianin North America.

A Millennium Time Capsule- A capsule containing Zarathushti arti facts from the 20th centuryto be buried as a legacy for the future.

Zarathushti Chamberof Commerce - A forum for promoting Zarathushti businessesand entrepreneurs world-wide.

Unity Quilt

A quilt, composed of the logos of Zarathushti organizations from around the world.

World Zarathushti Orchestra

Zarathushti musicians from around the world will perform a special musical composition by a Zarathushti composerrevolving around the theme of the Gathas.

Zarathushti Field Student

Thirty Zarathushti youth from India,Pakistan and Iran will be sponsored to attend the Congress free of charge.

Daughters of Mashyani

A workshop for Zarathushti women, inducting Zarathushti women to a Hall of Fame and a showcase of Zarathushti apparel and fashions.

International Book Fair & Exhibition

To showcase literary works and manuscripts that are relevantto our Zarathushti world.

Exhibition of Artifacts

Zarathushti artifactssuch as Sasanian coins and kusti weavingwill be exhibited.

The Story of Zarathushtis - Exhibition

Film & Video Festival and PhotographyExhibit

Zara1husldi Meets

lara1hushti

A Festive Re111ion

The openingday of the Congress is devoted to forming new friendships and renewing the old.

Prayers performedby mobeds from around the world.

Opening ceremonies with dignitaries and eminent Zarathushtis welcoming the participants.

A Festive Reunion [me/a]with various cultural and artistic events, presented by Zarathushti associations, anjumans and punchayets from around the world.

Chashni [prayer offerings] and other snacks will beserved.

A theme dinner, [not included in registration cost]. A celebration of our Zarathushti Heritage with a performance showcasing our Iranian and Parsi Culture.

FEZANA

The Zarathushti First and Second Millennium

A retrospective look at our Zarathushti past. Featured events of the day:

Keynote address.

Plenary panel discussion to introduce the theme of the day.

Concurrent tracks.Each track consisting of three daily sessions.

Tracks are: religious, social and cultural, youth/future and Zarathushtra's vision.

Two special lunches[not included in registration cost].

• Daughters of Mashyani,an induction cere mony for outstanding women of this century to the Hall of Fame. On Wings of Time, a special show on the evolution of Zarathushti apparel.

• A Business Forum-Inaugurating the Zarathushti Chamberof Commerce.

Evening dinner- Go Texan Night

[included in registration cost].

.:ZAH

•

The ev•:mi1nc tour the c

The) routrlan Association · Jhdi UIIllS. Since then

1n a

sldi's Lile

Preparing for the Third

the

Torch

10w to live a Zarathushti mt environments.

:s of the day will follow the

;s, the plenarysession

·rent tracks.

heon to honor Zarathushti

Fluded in registration cost].

ilt to be unveiled. ceremony at the Houston

:ultural & Heritage Center.

·epresenting our twentieth ous and cultural heritagewill a remembrance of our times aerations.

1 is free to visit friendsor

Millennium

Focus on the future of our community. The format will follow that of the previous two days. lansand strategies for c uryingour selves 1nto the next centurywill be explored.

Global Scholastic Competition winning essay will be read.

"The Millennium Ball" to celebrate our Zarathushti Odyssey into the new millenni um and to bring in the New Year and the new millennium as a united Zarathushti community. [not included in registration cost].

On the fifth and closing day of the Congress, a unique Jashan performed by our mobeds. It is through this action that we symbolically pass on the torchto the next generation. These are our

leaders of tomorrow, and it is to them that we entrust our future.

Closing Ceremonies will fol low the Jashan as we bid each other a fond farewell until we meet again at the Eighth World Zoroastrian Congress.

WORLD .CONGRESS

[ZAH] was founded in 1976 by

over 500 members. In 1981,

COI'lStJ·uc1 a Fultural center. · for the many vmen

TRAVEL AGENTS FOR WZC2000

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ail: sales@fastandeasytravel.co.uk

ICORN TRAVEL N' TOURS, Inc.

Southwest Freeway, Houston,Texas USA

1: 713.339.2222 Fax: 713.339.2223

davier5@ aol.com

ivai Cruises

day cruise to Gulf of Mexico

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re from Galveston December 22, 2000

rn Monday, December25, 2000

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OFFICIAL AIR CARRIERS

Lufthansa

38 Pars1ana Apn/ 2000

ncketch SA

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Dec 26 & ays:

Dec 30, 2ooo

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In the heart of Houston'sdynamic, thriving Galleria district,the JW Marriott Hotel combines luxury,attentive service, superiormeeting facili ties and,exceptional convenience. Located·across the street from the Galleria shopping complex,the hotel offers guests an endless variety of shopping and entertainment choices. Within the hotel you will find amenities and services designedfor your comfort,including superb din ing, a relaxing lounge and a varietyof sports facilities, including a lavish ly equipped health club.The oversized guest rooms are luxuriously fur nished. Downtown Houston is only 10 minutesaway, while Hobby airport and the Intercontinental airportare 30 and 40 minutesaway respectively. The JW Marriott Hotel provides a perfect blend of international style and Texas hospitality.

World Zoroastrian Congress

December 26, 2ooo

- January1, 2001

$79.00 +tax Single/Doubleffriple/

Quad per night

Reservations accepted from February 1, 2000 - Cut off date December 5, 2000

Reservations must be made directlywith the Hotel.

JW MARRIOTT HOTEL On Westheimer by the Galleria, 5150 Westheimer, Houston,Texas 77056 Reservations : 713-961-1500 or 800-228-9290Fax: 713-961-5045

The JW Marriott is pleased you have chosenus for your upcoming visit.Our staff looks forward to serving you in the fine Marriott tradition.

To expedite your check-in process,we require the following importantinformation:

1. Credit card name, number, and authorization(signature)

2. Bed type (King or two double beds) and smokingpreference in order of priority

3. Estimated arrival time (Check-in 3pm, but efforts will bemade to room you as soon as possible)

The JW Marriott regretsthat it cannot hold your reservation withouta credit card, or first night's room deposit by check or money order (do not send cash)

Deposits will be refundedonly if cancellation notification is given up to 24 hours prior to arrival. If more than one room is requested, please enclose list of names with addresses, indication which guestsshare rooms.

Name Co.

Please Print or Type

Room type preference: Smoking preference:

II King

L-1 Smoking

C I Double/Double Room ancf smoking preferenceswill be honored

1 1 Non-Smoking sutJject to availability

Which preference is more important: r1 Bed type I I Smoking preference

room

1-l Check or money order enclosed Amount $ _ n American Express I Carte Blance

D Master Card (Please include interbank # directly below card #) D Visa n Diners Club

Credit Card Number Date

I authorizethe JW Marriott Hotel to charge my account for one night'sroom charge in the event I do not cancel my room by 6pm the day of arrival.

re # Check out time is noon. Rooms may not be available for check-in until after 3pm. Reservations requested

the cut off date are subject to availability. Rooms may still be availableafter the cut off date, but not necessarily the above rate. Please apply 17% sales and lodging tax to the above rates.(Tax rates subject to change)

MAIL I FAX I CALL HOTEL DIRECT

39 Parsiana April 2000

A BUSH

INTER-

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AIRPORT

DIRECTIONS TO THE JW MARRIOTT HOTEL ON WESTHEIMER

From Bush International Airport:

JW MARRIOTT

HOTEL

ON WESTHEIMER BY THE GALLERIA

WESTHEIMER RD.

NASA & Galveston

o Museum district, IMAX Zoo, Medical Center & Rice University

•Zarathushti Heritage and Cultural Center (ZHCC)

40 Parstana Apn! 2000

Take Highway 59 South onto Loop 610 West proceed around Loop to 610 South.Turn

right onto Westheimer- pass 3 lights. Hotel is on the right.

From Hobby Airport:

Take Interstate 45 Northonto Loop 610 West, and proceed around the Loop to 610 North. Turn left onto Westheimer - pass 3 lights. Hotel is on the right

Taxi and Shuttle Service

• Taxi fare for 4 passengers is $38 - takes 35 minutes.

•Shuttle - Coach USA fare is $17 per person -

runs evef}l hour - takes 55 minutes.

------------------------------------------------•-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------·

SPORTS REGISTRATION FORM FORTHE SEVENTH ZARATHUSHTI GAMES (DEC. 26 & 27, 2000)

SECTION I - PERSONAL INFORMATION

Last Name:

First Name:

M.I.

Phone:

-------(Home) (Work)

!..-.., '"

ddress (cont'd): E-Mail:

City: St: ZIP: Country: E-Mail:

----------------=(Circle: Home I Work)

(Home)

(Work)

No:

SECTION U - SPORTS REGISTRATION REFERENCED NOTES AND GENERALNOTES:

DESCRIPTION: PERSON NO. 1: 1 PERSON NO. 2: 1 PERSON NO. 3:1 PERSON NO. 4:INote 1: TheFees for the Sporting Events need to be enteredin

Cil

-6'

1 Last Name I Surname: Section Ill of the Congress Registration Form.

12 First Name I Middle Initial: Note 2: Chooseeither Basketball or Volleyball, but not both due to

1 3 Age I Sex: (Required): I 1 1 1 scheduling conflicts. Fill out team member names below.

BASKETBALL FOR AGES 13 THROUGHADULTS (SEE NOTES 2, 4, 7 &10) Note 3: Volleyball Gameswill be co-ed.Minimum of 2 females/team. 4 Do you have a team? Yes: 0 No: 0 Yes: 0 No: 0 Yes: 0 No: 0 Yes: 0 No: 0 Note 4: A maximum of 9 playersper team shallbe allowed.

5 Team's Name: Note 5: Men & women compete separately in Track & Field events

6 Team Color: and Swimmingevents. Fillout team member names below.

7 Captain's Name: Note 6: If you choose Track & Field, you cannot choose Swimming.

VOLLEYBALL FOR AGES 13 THROUGH ADULTS (SEE NOTES 2, 3, 4 &10) Note 7: . If you play Table Tennis,you cannot participate in

8 Do you havea team? Yes: 0 No: 0 Yes: 0 No: 0 Yes: 0 No: 0 Yes: 0 No: 0 Basketball or Volleyball, due to scheduling conflicts.

1 9 Team's Name: Note 8: Fun events are scheduled for kidsunder 9 years, that are

1 10 Team Color: not included in this registration form.

1 11 Captain's Name: Note 9: YouthBasketball Games may be co-ed.

TRACK AND FIELD FOR AGES 13 THROUGHADULTS. (SEE NOTES5, 6, & 10) Note 10: Participants with no teamsmay sign up as individuals. You

1 12 100M: 0 0 0 0 will be notified of teams later.

13 400 M: 0 0 0 0 Note 11: Participants will be groupedby age forSwimming events.

14 1500 M: 0 0 0 0 Note 12: All participation will be on a firstcome first servedbasis.

15 4 X 100M Relay: Have a Team? Yes: 0 No: 0 Yes: 0 No: 0 Yes: 0 No: 0 Yes: 0 No: 0 Note 13: No entries will be guaranteed after Sept. 30,2000.

16 Shot Put: 0 0 0 0 Note 14: Latefees will be charged according to the datereceived.

17 Discus: 0 0 0 0 Note 15: A 10% cancellation fee will be charged after Nov. 1, 2000.

TABLE TENNIS FOR AGES 13 THROUGHADULTS. (SEE NOTE 7) All cancellations must be in writing.

1 18 Singles: 0 0 0 0 Note 16: If you have more than 4 members in your family, or you want

1 --------- --------- · - ·- ·• ·· ··- ··• ·- --- -- ·-- ·- togiveothersacopy,pleasemakecopiesofthisform.

1 ·- . ·---•Y·- -- .-· 1 ..._. ..._. ..._. Team Name: Event: 20 Backstroke 50 Yd: I 0 0 0 0 Team Member Names:

12114 x 25 Yd. Medley Relay.Have Team? IYes: 0 No:

I221Tra ; oo M---.- ._.. ---- ..... 1"·-· -D-..---f'- ·--0....- --- ·-·-0-- --- f--- 'd ::: =:' r Names: Event:

231Swimming Freestyle 25 Yd:

..:..::..::.:..:..:..=:;.;;;.;.;.::..;.;;;.;=.:..;;.:..:.;;.;.=;...;;....;..;.;.;;;_;;;=.:...:.::-;;.;.;;;;.;;:::=r;.:;.;.; ::::.;;,.;;..;..:.;.::::T ;;..;.: ;..;::::;;.,;;;..;.;;: -=:-tTeam Name: Event:

24Do ou have a team? 0 Team Member Names:

25 Team's Name:

. --··· --·-·· Team Name: Event:

- - - .

Be111er1th World Zoroastrian Congress

West Airport Blvd. uston, Texas77071

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. Postage

Paid Houston, TX Permit No. 11939

INSTITUTIONS

Bonding in Bandra

For 50 years The Bandra Parsee Association has assistedlocal brethren towards educational, medical and social welfare needs

Hilla P. Guzder

It was almost an all-Parsi, all-Bandra audience at the plush, I ,000-seater St Andrew's Auditoriumsituated in the leafy lanes of Bandrain Bombay. Cap turing conviviality on the occasionof the 50th anniversary celebrations of The Bandra Parsec Association

for 20 years, is the address from which the BPA functions."We lack a suitable place the BPA can call its own," states Choksey, with the result that functionshave had to be held in hired halls or on a terrace obliginglygiven by a member.

\ / .

Burjor Pavri, Dinaz Choksey, Hansotia, Desai and DollyTata."Everyone chipped in and did a good job," notes Sheriar, adding that obtaining donationsis always a tough task, achievable for a small association liketheirs through per suasivepersonalrapportand

(BPA) werelocalfamilies,

some of whose ancestors, en

chanted by the quaintness and quietof this "queenofsub

urbs," had built many a grace ful retreat on its hill and dale.

With severalParsi-estab lished institutions like the Bai Avabai F. Petit Girls'High

School, Cama Convalescent Homes for Parsi Men and Boys and for Parsi Women and Children, BhabhaHospi

tal, BhabhaSanatorium, etc,

Bandra boasts a substantial Parsi populace. Some make their home in the TataBlocks,

BANDRA PARSEE AssOCIATION ..

'ELCD S U ·.

good contacts.The golden ju

bileesouvenir gratefully ac knowledges a donation of Rs 51,000 from Darab C. Pader of Veera Tanneries, Rs 50,000 from the Noshirwanand Goolhanoo Trust,as well as a long list of donations ranging from Rs 100 toRs 25,000.

Pegging the Zoroastrian

population ofBandra at around 5,000, Sheriarstates that mem bership of the BPA is open to all Zoroastrians between Bandra and Andheri, though the bulk of theirmembership comprises Bandra residents.

others in villas that have survived the onslaught of the buildersor in apart- ments in the glass and concrete mono

liths standingin their stead.

As part of its year-long celebration, the BPA presented on November27, 1999a play entitled MonkeyBusiness Plus by the well-known producerBharat Dabholkar. Among the audience were 60 young Zoroastrian boarders-espe cially invited by the BPA from the Bai Avabai F. Petit Girls'High School with their supervisorY asminCharna to spend apleasurable evening.

"Bandra Parsis are a good, friendly

community," assertsProf Khurshed

Sheriar, presidentof the BPA, adding tongue-in-cheek that there may, how ever, be a few who live in an ivory tower! Sheriarjoined the Association as a member way back in 1969 and became vice president in '71, taking over as president three years ago. The residence of Sam Choksey,who has been on the committee for a quartercentury and officiated as jointhonorary secretary

Sharingcamaraderie (l tor)

Dabhoiwalla, Sam and Dinaz Choksey, Sheriar, Hansotia, Pavri and Desai Photo: Hilla Guzder

Mahrookh Mistry is the joint honorary secretary and KhorshedDaruwalla, daughter of one of the founder membersGool Masani, officiatesas treasurer. "Itis from my house that we disburse the monthly assistance we give to a few deserving Parsis," she notes, with obvi ous pride in the task at hand. Dr Zenobia Bhathena, Dara Desai, Maki Hansotia, Dolly Tata, Homai Mistry and Nergish Tata are on the managingcommittee. "Our main handicap is that we have too fewworkers who put in time for the Association," explainsSheriar.

Thegolden jubilee celebrations were kicked off on June 13, '99 with ajashan at Bandra's Tata Agiary and a well pa tronized dinnerat a hall in Khar. The especiallyconstituted golden jubilee celebrations committeeconsists of Sheriar, Choksey, RoshanDabhoiwalla,

"We have around 360-370families as

members," he states. Life membership

consisted of the princely sum of Rs 75 when they started in 1949, currently it is Rs 300. "TheBandra Tata Blocks resi dents have their own association too, but ours is older," remarks Sheriar.

Elaborating on the BPA's welfare

activities, Sheriar declaresthat the As sociation has 'adopted' the Tata and Panthaky Agiaries,expending a sum of Rs 20,000 last year to distributenew

clothes, linen and toiletries to the staff of the Agiaries, as well as to other deserv ing beneficiaries. To reinforce the value of a sound education, the BPA disbursed during the year about Rs 30,000 as edu cational scholarships in the form of sub sidies for school fees, professional courses like medicineand engineering, computercourses, etc, and provides as sistance for surgery, accordingto their press release.

The BPA was founded by a group of public spiritedZoroastrians whichin

continued on page 65

43 Parsiana Apnl 2000

SEMINAR

OnBordi's beaches

The coastal town of Bordi provided the backdrop for the XI lith All India Zoroastrian Youth Seminar

Kimi Danger

"Save the culture,heritage and gran deur of the Zarathushtis," urged chief guest Dinaz Contractorat the inaugura tion of the XIIIth All India Zoroastrian Youth Seminar hosted bythe Zai Bordi Parsi Anjumanfrom November

6-9, 1999. Addressing "the fu

ture and backboneof the com munity," Contractor, a versatile personality who is an agricultur ist, hotel owner and renownedsocial worker of Valsad district, encouragedthe youth to take the initiative and keep the pioneer ing spirit of the Parsisalive. "Keep a high ambitionin life and endeavor to reach it," said Con tractor.

"Your deliberations will give a new focus to the youth of future genera tions," said Rohinton Batliwala, presi dent, Zai Bordi Parsi Anjuman Trust Fund, when welcoming the youth to the idyllictourist destination with its sunny beaches. Zai Bordi is also closeto many a historically and religiously significant place. Sanjanis situated about 25 km away. The Bahrot caves, where the holy Iranshahwas housed for 14 years, lie to the east of Bordi.Moreover, Udvada, where the Iranshahcontinues to spreadits blessings and piety, is eas ily accessible from Zai Bordi. He spoke of the educational facilities available in Bordi and the endeavors made in that direction by the local Zarathushtis.

Special invitee Ervad Khushru Dastur of Udvada commented on the dressing habits of the youth and in structed the gatheringon appropriate conduct on their impending visit to the Iranshah, which was on the itinerary.

Welcoming the youthto "thelast semi

nar of the millennium," Porus Karanjawalla, presidentof the Federa tion of Zoroastrian Youth Associations of India (FOZYA), said that in a survey conducted after last year's youth semi-

nar, the delegates requested that activities should begin after I 0.30 a.m. and no hard talk or competitions immediately after lunch. His announcement that the sched ulehad been revisedin keeping with the

At the valedictory function (from left): Sarosh Palkhiwala, Yasmin Chama, Lilaowala, Karanjawalla, Kasad and Debara

requests of the delegates was greeted with applause from the audience.

For the 150-odd delegatesfrom Ah medabad, Agra, Baroda,Bombay, Da hanu, Jhansi, Madras,Navsari, Poona, Surat and Thana who were gathered at the Petit Sanatorium it seemed an ideal

opportunity to interact, make new friends

and renew old acquaintances againsta backdrop of the blue sea and miles of golden sands. In fact, the cool waters were often a major distraction for the delegates.

"What makes you proud to be a Zoro

astrian?" was the questionNoshir Dad rawala, assistant editorof Jam-e-Jamshed asked the gathering of delegates. The question was a prelude to a discussion on "Ethics of ZoroastrianReligion" in the course ofwhich Dadrawala attemptedto explain the significance of prayer and the relevanceof the Zoroastrian doctrines in today'stimes.Quotingpassagesfrom religious texts and scriptures he pointed out the positiveness of the religionto the youth. "The Parsi spirit of philanthropy

is alive and kicking. You have to keep the spiritalive,"saidDadrawala.But some of his interesting comments and conjectures were lost on the youth who were becoming increasingly restless and distractedby the incoming tide.

The other speaker of the af

ternoonwas the learnedDr Homi Dhalla, a Harvardgraduate, who is at presentteaching and con ducting researchin Iranian stud ies. His talk focussedon whether the teachings of the Zoroastrian religion are relevantin the new millennium. Reiterating the im portance of 'Asha'he said that 'Asha' is the cornerstone ofthe

Zoroastrian religion. He discussed the

concept of fire and light and tried to clear the misunderstanding that Parsis are fire worshippers. He stressed that for Parsis light is the symbol of Ahura Mazda, a reminder of his radiance. Light stands for knowledge, which can dispel the darkness of ignorance. He also ex plained the importance of theconcept of 'Hamazor':harmony and unity with the entire universe,which is especiallyrel evant today in times of war and strife.

By now the delegates were squirm

ing in their seats and there were a couple of instancesof indiscipline which were strongly reprimanded by the organizers. · The talkswere followed by a question and answersession attended by some enthusiastic delegates whileothersrushed to the beach for a dip in the sea.

The second day saw a chastised audi ence in attendance for the talks by Prof Khurshed Sheriarand Dr Peshotan Mirza. Sheriarspoke on the topic, "Zo roastrian priesthood and its role in the survival of our community." He tra versed the historyofthe existence of the Zoroastrianreligion in India and related the role of the priests in "preserving the sanctity and identity of the religion" through their preservation of literature,

44 Parsiana April 2000

Top row (L toR): Mirza. Contractor, Sheriar, Dhalla and Dadrawala Above: youths in attendance (left)and enjoying a meal Photo: Nawaz Palkhiwala

scriptures and rituals. He discussed the situation of the mobedsin India today, the problemsand discriminations facing them and stated that "without mobeds there will be no Zoroastrian religionand without the religion there willbe no Parsi community." Mirza explained in layman's terms that fire is heat and light energy.ButaccorqingtoZoroastrian cosmogony Ahura Mazda created di vine light and throughthis divine light all creationsare made. Referringto the acute paucity of mobeds plaguingthe community and its impact on the sur vival of our fire-temples and dokhmas as well as the continuity of rituals, Mirza said that there is an urgent need to pro videproper provisions for maintenance of the priests.In the course of the discus sions a lot of pertinent questions were raised by theyouth and the speakers answered them with alacrity. Fielding questions regarding thelegality of navjote ceremonies, Mirza agreed with someof the youth who recommended that just as marriage certificates are is sued, navjote certificates also should be issued. The youth were of the opinionthat since priestsdiffered in their view points they could appoint a counsel as an authority with a spokesperson or an om-

46 Parsiana April 2000

budsman to arrive at a consensus on religious questions. The audiencefa vored providingprotection to priests against onslaughts of any sort.

The talks werefollowed by adebate on

the topic "Am I an Indian first or a Zoro astrian?" The debate judged by Po-rus Debara, honorary treasurer, FOZYA and Nauzer Kasad,committee member, FOZYA, saw two very strongteams com peting for the honors.With the firm belief that she is an Indianfirst, Farah Bharucha, a delegate from Poona, said that through our Zoroastrian beliefs we shouldbe come better Indians. OpponentsAashita Bomanshaw and Pashna Munshi from Bombay who believedthat their true iden tity was their religion contradicted this statement. Their teammate Mahiar Byramshaw from Madras claimedthat Zoroastrians were, in fact, world citizensand that nationality can be changed but one's religion cannot be changed and in the processwalked away with the award for best speaker. The judges gave aver dict in favorof the team that believedthey were Zoroastrians first.

At the valedictory function colum nist Ruby Lilaowalawho was the chief guest commented on the growing indif ferencetowards religion, change in val uesand beliefs due to the media boom andgrowing psychological trauma amongst the youth. "Modernism does not mean cutting off the roots. You cut off the roots, you cut off the tree." Young

peopleinvite me into their lives with a view to learning from me, but I end up learningfrom them, she added. Her views on love, marriage,education and hob bies had all the delegates cheeringand applauding. She ended on a positive note, "Ask not what our communitycan do for you. But ask what you can do for your community."

Earlier that day the delegateswere taken on a guidedtour of Sanjanand Udvada. At the Sanjan Stambh they were briefedon the history of the Stambh and the significance of its establish ment. But the most importantleg of the tour was the visit to the Iranshah at Udvadawhich took on a special signifi cance for some delegates as it was their first ever to the abode of the holy fire.

Yetanother diversion for the youths was a round of Pictionary in which a participant had to describea word to his teammates through sketches and they in turn had to guess the given word. The game was won by the team from Poona, while the Bombay team came a close second. Pictionary was followed by a quiz in which two teams from Bombay walked away with both the first and second positions.

"Overall the management was good. Though there shouldhave been an at mosphere for interaction, throughmore games, which was lacking," said Delnaz Dalal from Ahmedabad. According to

continued on page 65

READERS' FORUM

continued from page 6

history and past can be preserved. So let's save Bahrot.

FARZAN BEHRAMSHAH MAZDA

Dahanu

Avestanusage

Here aresome Avestan sentences for daily conversation:

How is life (i.e. your life)? Katha thawa javaiti asti (thawa=your)?

I wish you a long life ofhappiness.Azem ishtitu vispayum javaitiushtatem. (Please note: ushtacan be renderedas 'happiness' but primarymeaning is 'de sire.' Ustatem=your desires and vispayum=all, so it couldbe Azemishti tu vispayum ushtatem=I wish that all your desires be fulfilled. The wordjavaiti= 'life' is not usedin this sentence.) Wheredidyougo? Kathaxshmaancha? [xshma=thou (in respect)]

or Katha tu ancha? [tu=you (whenyou know a person as equal)]

Please go back. Xshnavaya paiti zash. Like father, like son. Yatha patar, atha puthrem.

I extol you with joy(or adulation).

Aeem ufyani staota.

Soon I will be a rich man.lshar mavaiti shaeetavant.

Soon all of you will be rich persons. lsharvispa xshamaka shaeetavanti htamncha. DrPALLANR.ICHAPORIA

Pennsylvania, USA

Angel to Ahmednagar

We shall never forget Meher (Meher

Behram Nagarwalla), a kindhearted, lov ing yet disciplined "aunty" to her "re mand home children" (DistrictProba tionand After Care Association, Ahmednagar), a nature-loving environ mentalist, dedicated, active and selfless social worker and a philanthropic hu man being.

Meher' s sad and unexpected demise was on February15, 1999. She was "wife, friend,philosopher and guide'' to Billy-Behram Sarosh Nagarwalla

-proprietor of M/s Cursetjee Nusser wanjee and Sons, the oldest trading firm of Ahmednagarestablished in 1803. On marryingBilly she joinedthe tradi tional familybusiness of construction material and liquor trade.At the time of her death she was a senior partner of Victory Wine Stores.

Apart from being an able housewife

Nagarwalla (right) handing over a child for foster care

she was a "busy-bee." She started and edited the Ahmednagar Parsis'news letterNew Horizon for a number of years. She collected the detailed history of Parsi families residing there. As a result Meher was known as 'the unoffi cial historian'in her community. She also wrote the biography of principal N.

D. Nagarvala in 1990 which has been published in two editions.

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48 Parsiana Apnl 2000

Meher was n ardent western music lover and excellent piano player, de lighting all with classicaland modern tunes. She taught music to a number of people, wrote,composed and conducted for a number of occasionsin schools, churches(for weddings) and for the last three years she was in charge of the choir of Ahmednagar Christ Church, which delighted all of us during the Christmas festival.One program was also broad cast by the All India Radio,Ahmednagar.

Meher was not laggingbehind in her

social work. She joined the National Education Society as trustee in 1993and was an activemanaging committee mem ber of The ShishuGrah (Center for aban doned babies -District Probation and After Care Association). Shealso took keen interest in the MarathiMahila Mandai of ChristChurch where she wasknown as "aamchi Meherbai" and gave medical assistance to old, poor and needy women. She was member and secretary of Christian Neighborhood Fellowship (CNF). At the same time she was aworking member of Green Globe, anorganization creating environment awareness amongthe common man andshe was instrumental in preparing ahighly praised rose garden in the remand home compound.

Born in Hong Kong on January 23, 1949,she had herformal education and did her secretarial coursethere. She joined Tri-Union, a textile machineryand cotton tradingfirm. She came to Bombay in 1970 and served with INARCO Limited as secretary to the managingdirector.

She was an ardent lover of animals. The Nagarwalla householdconsisted of seven street dogs (not countingone Al satian) at the time of her death.

She ·was loved by young and old alike. A newspaper article commented on the multi-religion condolence meet ing heldbyCNF at StJohn's Church

under the heading "MeherNagarwalla

smruti prarthana sathi aadarsh darshan." A uniquecondolence meet ing for herattended by people of all religions at Christ Church isa wonderful precedentfor national integration.

SUDHIR CHATE

Ahmednagar

Change of cards

Percy and GovherAntia of Toronto

were in town for a couple of days and

Percy and Govlzer Antia(left) and

thefamily prior to

migration

45 years, and have eight children and 14 grandchildren.

When Percy married

Govher, both then aged 21, he was stay

ing in a smallback room on the ground floor of Talati Building at Khetwadi. The eldest son of a well-to-do family, Percy's father was a dealer in greeting cards, importing and selling them all over India duringthe British Raj. Percy failed his exam at StMary'sSchool and joined the coeducational J. J. School where he met Govher. His father had great plans to send him abroad to marry an Englishgirl. A typicalParsi hang-up. His father objectedto his choice of a future wife as the girl's fatherwas a taxi driver.So Percy lefthis father and moved to the girl's house, but nights he had tospend on Grant Road station, with rats for company. The Irani girl'sfather said he must have ajob before he married his daughter, so he took his first job, clean ing and dusting Sukh Sagar Stores at Breach Candy on a salary of Rs 40. Hemarried her with only Rs 15in his pocket, five of his own, 10 from his mother-in law. Theirhoneymoon was at Bandra's BhabhaSanatorium and next day he was back at work. Now that he was married, he gave up the joband started selling Japanese dolls from house to house. Then he went into a businesshe was familiar with: makingand selling greet ing cards, i.e. recyclingold cards and using them.

He operated his business from the pavementof Flora Fountain.His first stringedstall was on the pavementbe low Petit Library but he was forced to moveto the oppositepavement ofVatcha Agiary. There the trustees kindly al lowed him to use the outside wall to display cards and panthaky BhikhajiJijina would give him papdi and malido which he would take home.

Percy's brother Minoa movedto

daughter Jeroo, aged 17 in 1974. After getting married and becominga citizen of Canada, she called her father and the rest of her family to Canada in 1983. Percy settled down inToronto. The gov ernment there subsidized him for he had more than two childrenand they wanted to increasethe population of Canada.

He started workingas a paper boy for Toronto Star. After this initialsuccess he started importing children's apparel from all over the world and supplied them to big stores. It is here that he made his money.

Hemade several tripsto Bombay and got all his boys married to Parsis from Bombay and helped theirrespective spouses to move to Canada.

So Percy and his wife are a standing example of what perseverance, practi

cality and faithinAhuraMazdacan achieve. ZEND M. ZEND

Why second helping?

The old customof second helpings at

wedding/navjote functions and parties

continues unabated as it is more advan tageous to caterers who make bumper profits. They argue that each guest gets two pieces at functions. In fact only five to sevenpercenttakeforthesecond' time. No wonder the number of caterersamong our community has increased considerably during recenttimes look ing at the advertisements in the newspa pers.

Atthe time of second helping,the bearers walk very fast and try to save as much as possible. It is high time this practice is stopped to save both the guests and hosts from increasing pehramnis and mountingexpenditure in the inter estof our community.

RUSTOMA. KOTW AL

came to visit me at my Bakery. Both

Toronto at the age of 34. After settling

are 66 years old, married for the last

50 Parsiana Apnl 2000

down, he called over Percy'seldest

Edited by Parinaz M. Gandhi

LAW

COVER STORY

Thelegal innings of the century

Outspoken, courageous, decisive, 100-year-old solicitor Rustam Gagrat nurtured outstanding institutions and individuals

Arnavaz S. Mama

He satin the leafy bower of Gallops (the restaurant at the Bombay Race Course), the smiling cynosureof a gathering of 150, epitomizing an old-world patriarch in a new world setting.Almost everyone there was related to him by ties

of blood or of gratitude and de

votion that sprang from therec

ognition that it wasRustamji Gagrat' s pioneering toil and ethical professionalism, his ex ample of unremitting integrity and moralcourage that had guided their own steps up the ladder of achievement. Family and friends,close associates of bar and bench, dignitaries in their own rights, had come to congratulate the wizened Gagrat onhis lOOth birthday. Unlike previous occasions, there were no speeches this time.

Thedoughty founder of the 66-year old Bombay-based Gagrat and Com pany, advocates, solicitors and notaries, with branches in Delhi, London and Dubai, Gagrat's life has run concur rently with the 20th century. Thus per sonal milestones have coincided with societal ones. In 1994 Gagrat and Com pany celebrated itsdiamondjubilee while the prestigious Bombay Incorporated Law Society registered 100years against Gagrat' s own 94. As the seniormost practisingsolicitor at that juncture the Society calledupon Gagrat, a former managing committee member (1944-

70) and pastpresident(1960-68),to

reminisce in its centenarysouvenir. The 10-page published article,a personal ized account, atteststo the changing scenario in Bombay as much as it re flects Gagrat's own personality:

The dedicationofeducationiststo

the youth in their care is gratefully re called after three-quarters of a century as Gagrat writes of the affection and guidanceprovided by JalbhaiBharda and KaikobadMarzban of BhardaNew High School. Continuing to treasure the

prizebooks awarded in elocution and Shakespeare declamation competitions, Gagrat writes, "Iam of the view that the DebatingSociety of the School and these competitions were the main beginnings

J. Gagrat (left) with Bombay Mayor Hareshwar Patil presentingshawl and flowers to Rustamji

of my interestin entering the legal pro fession."

Anincident during his Wilson College years reflectsthe temper of the time. The Prince of Wales was visitingIndia in 1921. Legalluminary Sir ChimanlalSetalvad, as vice chancellor of the Uni versity ofBombay,had convened a meet ing of the students to felicitate the visiting Prince. The students,in their own meet ing in which three Setalvad offspring participated, objected to the proposed fe licitation and the conveningof such a meet withoutconsulting the studentcom munity. The khadi-clad Gagrat was elected spokesman of the studentsto voice these objections. Hence, when the meeting be gan under the chairmanship of Setalvad, Gagrat articulated the students' demand that Setalvadstep down and that Prof P.

A. Wadia replace him in the chair. As per earlierarrangement between the students and Wadia, the latter took the chair, de clared that the students of the University

of Bombay were not agreeable to the meetingand dissolved the same. Theevent was the first of many instances of public outspokenness that have highlighted Gagrat's legal career.

Thefirst of Ardeshir and Piroja Gagrat' s 11 children,Rustam was born in Porbunder where Ardeshir was employed as chief engineer of the Tata Ce ment Company. Living with his uncle Dr Dinshaw Gagratin Bombay during his studentyears, Gagrat's only connection with the notoriously closed legal pro fession was his uncleBomanji Gagrat, a senior managing clerk atCrawford Bayley and Com pany, one of Bombay's leading solicitors, which did not accept Indian articled clerks.The rule was relaxed by apparently pro

Indian Scotsman ThomasGavin Steel

Little, the firm's seniormost partner,in light of Bomanji's long service to the firm and Rustam signed his articles of clerkship after payingthe firm a pre mium ofRs 5,000 plus Rs 250 as stamp duty -a sum borrowedfrom his two paternal uncles and his maternal uncle Dr Kaikhushru Sethna.Atthattime articledclerks received a stipend of Rs 30 per month but when Little's personal clerk succumbed to suddenillness, Little draftedGagrat to serve temporarilyin . his place, paying him Rs 300 a month while on the job. Money apart, "I learnt

a lot from him in regard to the mannerin which he interviewed clientsin his cham bers and advised them," notes Gagrat. By 1926 Gagrat had appearedfor his solicitorsexam, gratefully returnedhis uncles' loan and was enrolled in the firm as a solicitor at Rs 350 per month.

That Englishsolicitor assistants were

givencabins while qualifiedIndian so licitors were made to sit outside with the clerks was a source of dissatisfaction. A year afterhis appointment Gagrat broached the topic with Little who plead-

52 Parsiana Apn/2000

ed shortage of space but agreed to make arrangements after consultinghis part ners. Two years later, when two cabins were erected for two English solicitor assistants, Gagrat again asked Little for a cabin. On pressingthe issue he was asked to appear before a meetingof the partners on a Saturdayafternoon. After the nine Europeanpartners had heard himout,oneofthem

"Blair, whose name I still recollect," told him, "'MrGagrat, you forget that we do not have a separate cabin for an In diansolicitor in our firm,"' narratesGagrat. "'Promptly I toldthem that I at that very mo ment was tendering my

resignation from the firm andwould

write to the firm confirming it after the meeting. The partners were taken aback. Little persuadedme not to take this step, but I insistedon doing so. Later I wrote tothe firm confirming my resignation," writes Gagrat.

During those years at Crawford Bayley Gagrat had made the acquaintance of Barjorji Bharucha,a staunch Congress man who was chiefaccountant of Greaves Cotton and Company. Gagrat's interest in the political movementwas a common bond and when he thus resigned from Crawford Bayley on the issue of national pride, Bharucha providedthe Rs 25,000 he needed to go into partnership with a

Parsisolicitor who offered him a 25 per cent share in his firm. Thus was born Chubb and Gagrat, later to be amalgam ated with E. B. Ghaswalla and Company into Chubb, Gagrat and Ghaswalla. Ghaswallahowever chose to pursue an advocate's career and retired from the firm, to be followedout by Chubb shortly thereafter.

On April1,1934

Messrs Gagrat and Com pany was born as a pro prietary concernin the old Bank of India building - a site now occupied by the flongkongand Shanghru Banking Corporation - funded by loansfrom two well-wishers. It<> four em ployees, all of whom grew

with the firm until their death,have since

risen to I00, 12 among them, with services to the firm rangingbetween27 years and

46 years, havingbeing specifically honored on the celebration of Gagrat' s 90th birthday in 1990.

Absorption seemed to be the prin

ciple on which Gagrat and Company grew. Still a fledgling in 1938(Gagrat taught mercantile law at Davar's College and workedas a freelance journalist to supplementhis income and functioned as a Bombay University examinerfor the LLB degree) the company employedits first solicitor assistant. An uncle's friend urged that his son Chandrakant Mehta be employed. "Whatever salary I offered

would be acceptable to him," Gagrat recalls the interview. Mehta joinedon a modest salary and was inductedas Gagrat' s first partner in 1942, a cher ished association that continueduntil Mehta's sudden death in 1978. Mehta'sdaughter Meenakshi Desai and son Ashok have since been inducted in the partnership. Mehra Shroff (nee Cooper) came in as the firstarticled clerk in 1941 and was later absorbed as partner, today ranking in seniority next to Gagrat.

Gagrat's son Jangoo signed articles

with his father in 1951, passed his solicitor's exam in 1954 and was admit ted as a partner in 1955, the same year that the Delhi office was established. Jangoo's son Rustam qualified as solici tor in Bombay and London and was inducted as a partnerin 1981.

In his felicitations to Gagrat in 1990,

senior partner A. R. Jani recalled his own advent into Gagratand Company in 1971. Representing Nusli Wadia in a property sale, he encountered Gagrat who, repre senting the purchaser, insistedon viewing certain documents whichwere in the sub registrar'soffice. Jani recalledtelling Gagrat thatif he could wait, certified copies would be available for his inspec tion. "fie said he couldnot wait and that he would come to the sub-registrar's office."

(Above) Gagrat and Palkhivalain happiertimes. (Below) With the partnersof Gagrat and Company at the centenary celebration

53 Parsiana Apn! 2000

Gagrat (standing 3rdfrom R) with daughter Bachoo.Seated center trio (L toR): Ardeshir with baby Jangoo,Piroja and Mani. (Right) With immediate family at grandson's wedding

It createdan affinity between them and Jani who, possessedof a greencard, was about to leave his original employerto settle in

i r. ::: ; ; /

the US, was startled by Gagrat •

no bargaining, there were no ne- r 1

and the discipline demanded in return: When Maneck handed him a copy of the newly promulgated Industrial DisputesAct without reading it first, he remembered the ridicule that he had to face. "The trainingyou get in Gagrat you don't get anywhere else!"

Speaking at the firm's diamond jubilee celebration in 1994 Gag rat's favoriteadvocate, legal lu minary Nani Palkhivala, who had graced earlier Gagrat milestones, recalled their first meeting. "Iam

... celebrating 50 years of my asso-

1 ciation with the firm. In1944 I

gotiations, I was received with open arms...

Withinfive minutes he could win me over and make me a member of the family of Gagrats," remembered Jani, two of whose children, Chandrahas and Priyahas, are now also partners of the firm.

Seeing in Gagrat the personification

of the saying,"What you have to do tomorrow, do it today; what you have to do today, do now," Balmukand Agar wala, a partnerof the Delhi firm, up datedJani's 20-year-oldexperience with what he had witnessedthe day prior to the function."We had an appointment; someone was to come to meet Mr Gagrat at 11 a.m.... Gagrat wasin the office at

10.45 a.m .. I came 10 minutes (before)11 and Jangoo came 10minutesafter 11. At 11.30 Gagrat got impatient. We phoned the gentleman who was to come. He informed us that he was not well and could not come. Gagrat said that he would go there and in a few minutes took the cane and we all went out to meet

54 Parsiana Apn! 2000

the gentleman at Metro, went up three

(flights of) stairs and met him and got the work done. There are many who would say that it can be done tomorrow. But Gagrat, at the age of 90, immedi ately got the work done which was pend ing for more than 10 years."

Gagrat has been the fatherfigure to his 10siblings,their children and grand children. Noted labor lawyer Maneck Gagrat, his youngestbrother - a 21 year age difference separates the two learnthis legal lore here. Addressing Rustamji on his 90th birthdayas "my guru, my brother and my father," Maneck noted, "(He) has been a caring, loving brother not only for myself but for all our brothers and sisters... Not only has he been my father figure , but he has been my guide and mentor." Maneck spoke of the freedom and facility to learn at Gagrat and Company,the cour age whichGagrat and Mehtainstilled in them to draft petitionsindependently

joined SirJamshedjiKanga' s chambers.

Rustam Gagratcame to delivera brief to Sir Jamshedji." When they were intro duced, Gagrat was clad in a cream suit, recalled Palkhivala, whose phenomenal mental and physical attributes were un touched by illnessat that point of time. Sadly, Palkhivala was unableto attend the centenaryfunctiononMarch25,· 2000. On the 1994 occasionPalkhivala had referredto the "great human rela tionship" that characterized Gagrat and Company anddescribed its founderas "spirited andpublicspirited ...(who) fought cases not because of money but because they had a role to play in the developmentof the nation."

Afirst edition copy of the famous Law of Income Tax by Kanga and Palkhivala, inscribed with the words, "To my dear Rustam, the first attorney to brief me ... Nani" is a cherishedme mento in the Gagrathousehold, attests

continued on page 66

BUSINESS

In theforefront of freight

The Katgaras of Jeena and Company have unitedly kept the century-old company at the top rung of cargo agents in India

Hilla P. Guzder

They have been moving for a century. Giraffes in 20-foot open-topsimported from Germany for the Calcuttazoo, a homed rhino exportedfrom India, live human organs with a short life span sent to Stockholm for research, giant gantry cranes customs clearedat Cochin port, heavy duty equipment moved to Bhutan for the Tata hyde! project -Jeena and Company has propelled a wide range of cargo to destinations worldwide.

It is now the third and the fourth

generations of the Katgarafamily that pool their acumen and resources to fast forward their freight business. Seventyone-year-old Adi Katgarais the patri-

arch, presiding over corporate policy along with his two sons Pallan and Homi andhis nephews Jehangir,Cyrus and Sam who are the sons of his late brother Nariman. "Jeena and Company is into global logistics solutions," states Sam. "We provide a complete packageof air and sea freight,customs clearance, im port/export services. We functionas overseas agentsand provide door-todoor delivery."

With10 offices at 23 locations in India and a combinedstorage area of I 00,000 square feet, J eena ranks among the top three cargo agents in India, with a quality management systems ISO 9002

certification to boot, according to the company fact file. Expressing his views with clarity of thought and economy of expression, Adi points out that being innovative is at the core of the company'sbusiness philosophy, Jeena has through out its 100 years often taken a dive into uncharted territory. The company's printedhistory enumerates that Jeena was the first in Indiato start a travel departmentway back in 1925. Their special train tours from Bombay to Gwalior, Agra and Delhi then cost all of Rs 98 per person for a seven-day, first class tour! In 1933, second generation businessman Jehangirji Katgara (father of Narimanand Adi) personally con ducted what was believedto be the larg est Indian group of holidaying homo sapiens travelling overseas -at an un believable Rs 4,000 per person for I 00 days, by first class!

Inmore recent times.Jeena has ex plored possibilities of business in New Zealand and Australiaearly, say the partners, beforeanyone else (from In dia). Europe, they note, is the company's number one market, but Americanbusi ness philosophy has sometimes been a bit too much to cope with! "Wehad so many experiences of our overseasagents there being bought or sold by rival firms, many have even wanted to buy us over!" quips Sam, a 'racing' man whose love for cars and fast driving has won him the crown five times already at the Autocross in Bombay. Jeena was also the firstto otTer cold storage facilities to their cli ents (a 'frozen' godownnear Sahar air port in Bombay) and are awaitingper mission from the customsfor a I 0,000 square feet warehouse at Panvel estab lished for bonded warehouse activities

i. e. completion of customs formalities at the warehouse itself, thus avoiding

The partners: Left to rif{ht (seated) Adi and Jehanf{ir, (standing) Cyrus, Homi, Sanz and Patlan

56 Pars1ana Apnl 2000

Clockwise: Pallonji. Jehangirji and Kaikushroo; Narimanin the 1940s. downtown headquarters

i. c. completion of customs formalities at the warehouse itself.thus avoiding delays, storageexpenses and pilfering of goods.

Their 'qualityinspection centers' at

, Delhi and Bombay (with one more com ing up in Bangalorelwere also an inno vation c. g. exportersof shirts can bring their goods for the final inspection by buyers to a centralized place-instead of the earlier method of buyers'repre sentatives travelling to scatteredloca tions.with the inherentpossibility of being 'winedand dined' to ensure fa vorable reports! Sticklers for conduct ing business in an ethical manner, Sam declares that dubious customersoften cometo Jcena. bankingon the company's

:dependable· reputation to see their goods through!"We are choosy when it comes to customers," he remarks, pre felTing to deal with reputed companies like Siemens, CromptonGreaves, Whirl pool, Daewoo. Feel Ex. etc, who are among its long list of clients.A printed history of the company states that when the outbreakof World War II forced the Japanese out of India, Jcena and Com pany was made custodianof the goods

57 Parsmna Apnl 2000

and property left behind by the Yokohama Specie Bank (now known as the Bank of Tokyo) and MitsuiBank. The Bank returned decades later to find everything well maintained for themto take over. .Teena and Companywas an official clearingforwarding agent forthedefense services at that time and specialized in handling armaments. ac cording to their company profile.

Currently, the top I 0 forwarding firms

of the world arc already in Indiato tap a potentially huge market,but the Katgaras believe they arc well positioned to meet the competition. "Forthe last eightyears we have been working on our IT (infor mation technology) solutionsin-house," notes Homi, while multinationals, they believe, are having problemsadapting their IT to suit Indian conditions. Jeena believes in providing a mix between the latest developments in freight forward ing, including tracing and trackingof consignments, combinedwith the per sonal touch,ratherthanbyrecorded messages on the phone whichis often the practice with large forwarders. Pro cedures at ports can be cumbersome and bureaucratic, withBombaycustoms,

Delhi customs, air and ocean customs having their own variety of ways! Nor has the economic liberalization in the country helpedmuch. "Whereas earlier we had to deal with the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) for permits, it has now thrown the burden on to the banks, who have passed the buck on to us. Nor has EDI (electronic data interchange) helped much, so if there were I 0 stagesto a transaction earlier,now there are 14,·· jests Homi.

With a professional workforce of700

spread all over India, the management notes with pride that a good 20 percent have been with the company for over 15 years, with around 40 people having put in more than 25 years of service. 'There are many Pars is at the clerical and mana gerial level,both in Jeena and in TCI (Travel Corporation oflndia Limited)." asserts Adi who is also a director in sister concern TCI, reputed as one of India·s premier tour and travel organizations which has won for a record 14 times the Government of India Tourism Award for maximumforeign exchange earn ings in Category I. "The creationofTCI in 1961 is one of the main memories that has stayed with me through my years in the business," remarks Adi. Firmly im printed in his mind also is his induction into the family firm 53 years ago.It was during his Inter-Commerce clays at Sydenham College when, as a lad of 18, he joinedJeena and Companyduring the summer of 1947. "Myelder brother Nari (Nariman) had joined three years earlier and my fatherJehangirji was very pleasedthai the second son too was coming into the business," he softly narrates. The very next day his father was dead, stricken by a sudden heart attack.

What followed was a 50-yearpart nershipof the two brothers which ended with Nari'sdcmisc in 1997. "Nari and I

Savoring the sights in Egypt and (below) moving cargo for thermal power project

were opposites in almost every way, in likes and dislikes, friends,views, etc. Yet we neverhad a quarrel," remembers Adi. Both brothershave won the presti gious Agastya Awardgiven by the Travel Agents Association of India, receivedso far by only 12 persons in the travel and tourismindustry and are the only two peoplefrom one family to be so honored. Both have won the Hall of Fame Award from the Indian Association of Tour Operators, among the slew of accoladesthathavecome

their way. The brothers have served on various advisorycom mittees of the governmentand industry.

Adiwas also a founder mem ber, he says, of the Indian chap ter of the YPO (YoungPresi dents' Organization, wherein one becomes the head of an organization beforethe age of 40), immortalized in Indian minds by US President Bill Clinton's visit to the Zoroas trian-owned Cafe Royal oppo site Regal cinema to meet some of the top under-40 entrepre neurs of the Indian chapter.Adi hecame a member of the World

58 Parsiana April 2000

Presidents' Organization, its senior wing, after the age of 49.

The fourth generation of Katgaras

has already been in the businessfor 20 years. "I am pleased with my family,the brothers and cousinsare also the best of friends," remarksAdi, adding that even if there is a divergence of views, there is no reason why matters cannot be re solved by discussion and acceptance. "Manyyears ago we decided that this family will stay united," declaresMeher Bhandara, Adi'sdaughter,whois the generalmanager,corporate communications, at TCI. Her sister Hilla Mazda who was with TCI in Bombay before

she moved to Madras some years ago is now back in Bombay.

Of the present partners, Cyrus, Sam

and Homi "areheavily into Jeena," says Bhandara. Cyrusmarshals Jeena's re sources in north India, headinga strong establishment in Delhi. Operational as pects, consigneesales, dealing with for eign agents, etc are mainly Cyrusand Sam's domain,while"Homiismost importantwhen it comes to the purse," informs Adi, with Homi being in charge of administration, finance, taxation, etc. While Pallan is US-based,looking after overseas markets,Jehangir'senergies are more focussedon TCI management, notes Bhandara. Sam is cur

rentlythe honorary secretary general of the Air Cargo Agents Association oflndia while Cyrus has officiated as its honorary treasurer. Homi and Sam have been past presidents of the Air Cargo Club of Bombay. Nari had been foundermember and past president of both associa tions.

A common thread weaving

the family togetheris their Jove of sports. "Cricket crazy" Adi can never sit still, laughs Bhan dara, adding that her father was also a schooland college swim ming champion. From tennis, squash, badminton to swimming,

Suburban airfreight office

'iii Homi. With an annual

distribution of Rs 15

lakhs, the Foundation has so far helped 1,500 people in vari ous ways, he says.

Lamenting that

Parsis seem to "feel a stigma" againstwork they consider"de meaning" ("they would ratherearn Rs 2,000 as a clerk than Rs7,000asaloader,") it has been the family's experience, observes Adi, that Parsi employees

sometimes have to be pushed from be

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ridingand judo, the cousins love the outdoors.Besides Autocross, Sam is into aeromodelling, informsUncle Adi, adding that Sam is also into mountaineering and had bagged the distinction of being "No1 cadet from Maharashtra" during his days with the N. C. C. (Na tional Cadet Corps). "Hoon Jeenamaan bhi kaam karooch(I also work for Jeena)," quips Sam.

''God has been good to us,"avers Adi,adding that it is a "very good sign" that the new generation abroadis "more Parsi-minded," seeking information about their ancestors, customs, etc. The religion will survive abroad,he believes, because "they are doing something about it," and it won't die in this part of the world eitheras "strong-minded indi viduals will see to it that it survives." Regarding the differing viewpointsin the community regarding dokhme nashini, Adi enunciates matter-of-factly: "Once one is dead, does it really matter if the worms eat you or the fisheat you? If facilities are availablethe system can continue," with nephewSam concur ring and childrenMeher and Homi (present at the Parsiana interview) per sonally opting for freedom of choice. "Ours is a goodreligion, easygoing with no restrictions likeother religions," rea sons Sam. "It is also the most difficult to keep," adds Bhandarabecause of its philosophy of good thoughts, good words and good deeds,in keeping with which the family set up in 1981 the Katgara Foundation. "We started witha small corpus of Rs 10,000, which hasgrown to one crore rupeestoday, with a percentage ofbusiness profits going into the Foundation eachyear," conveys

59 ParsianaApril 2000

they believe that Parsi employees are trustworthy, dependable and conscien tious. Most Parsisare averse to trans fers, laughs Sam, they would rather stay inBombay than take promotions out side.

There is a lack of (business) leaders, saysAdi, of energy for enterprise of the kind that spurred his grandfather Pallonjiandhis partner JamshedjiDastoor to make the beginnings of a business, with no moneyand no experience, by setting up a small indenting office, named Jeena and Companyafter Dastoor' s uncle Jeenabhai who gave them Rs 3,000 on condition that the company'sname re main unchanged. Pallonji's sons Jehan girji and Kaikushroo consolidated the business by opening the clearing,for warding and warehousing departments as early as 1911. Jeena and Company pioneered 'exhibition trains' (shops on wheels carrying tradersall over thecoun try) and wereone of the first recognized agents for Indian Railways, Tata Air lines (now Air India),P&O (The Penin sular and Oriental Steam NavigationCompany), Lloyd Triestino, etc. For the past five years,Jeena has been ap pointed officialfreight forwarders forIndia's largest leather exhibition, states their website www.jeena.com. They have participated in clearing and for warding goods for the Industrial Fair in Delhi in 1955 and for privateexhibi tions such as the BritishAerospace Ex hibition,Rolls Royce Exhibition project, etc, notes their website.

"It is now timeto let the younger generationtake over," reflectsAdi, to carry, in cricketing parlance, the com pany's bat towards a double century.

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EVENTS AND PERSONALITIES

continued from page 14

searchers and historians not just for the restoration but to establish who the artist is (if unknown), who are the per sons whose portraitshave been painted and what was their contribution to the community," states Jejeebhoy. The search might unearth a Manchershaw Pithawalaor Pestonji Bomanjeework in the possession of individuals or insti tutions who may be obliviousof its intrinsic value, note the organizers.

At the initialstage, between 300- 500of the best portraits will be selectedon the basis of the paintings' aestheticvalue -the dress depicted, the period in whichthey were painted,etc. "We are not lookingat run-of-the-mill paint ings," asserts Jejeebhoy. ''Old photos interest us as well," observesGandhy. "I would love to have, for example, picturesof the first cricket team to go to England which consistedof Parsis."

The project is estimated to cost around

Rs 14 lakhs, includingdocumentation on CD-ROM, the publishingof a cata log and presentationof the most out standing works at an exhibition in the National Gallery of Modern Art at the Sir Cowasji JehangirHall. The project will scout around western India to start with, as travelcosts, transportation and follow-ups will otherwise prohibitively escalate costs, declares Jejeebhoy,add ing that restoration of paintings is itself an expensive proposition with costs vary ing from Rs 2,000 toRs 20,000 depend ing on the severity of the damage. The project,which seeks financial support from individualsandtrusts,willbe complementary to, but independent of, Dr ShernazCam a's UNESCO-spon-

60 Parsiana Apri/2000

sored projectfor preserving Parsi heritage.

"During Art Fest 2000 organized by the Kala Ghoda As sociation, GalleryChemould pre sented an unusual exhibition of twosensibilities - art and architecture - coming together. Four artists andfour architects, working in pairs, had a look at the Kala Ghoda area with its beauti ful heritage build ings and reinter

preted it. They brought the Kala Ghoda Street into our Gallery," narrates Shireen Gandhy, daughterof.Khorshed and Kekoo Gandhy of Gallery Chemould. Large cutoutsofSirCowasjiJehangirandDavid Sassoon,for example, focussedattention on the well-knownpersonagesof the district, while the scale of buildingswas miniaturized. Blackand white boatswere painted on the Gallerywall in different angles, screwedonto another were archi tectural drawings of the C. J. Hall, Elphinstone College, David SassoonLi brary, etc. The responsewas overwhelm ing, says Shireen,with laymen and art aficionadosflocking to see it during its run from February 1-14, 2000.

ArtFest is an "inside/outside" exhi bition which seeks to focus attentionon the Kala Ghoda area as an art district,elaborates Shireen. The different art galleries displayed works on the pave-

Top left torighr: Scions of the Wadia and Jejeebhoy families, priestly portrait, Cursetji Parekh (along side)

ment galleries out side, there was an exhibitionof Rus sian icons at the PrinceofWales Museum, a Potters Tea Party (exhibi tion ofteapots made by potters from all over In dia) and display of old photographs at

the National Galleryof Modern Art, poetry and play readingsat Wayside Inn, etc.

The Kala GhodaAssociation,of

which Gallery Chemouldis a member, was formed in 1998. Though the impos ing bronze equestrian statueof Edward VII, which gave the area its name, has been relegated to the Bycullazoo for a large number of years, 80-year-old Kekoo Gandhy's "latest campaign, one in which he is joined by (prominent social activists) PramodNavalkar and Nana Chudasama, is to bring the Kala Ghoda back to Kala Ghoda, as a purely decorativestatuary," writes Busybee in the Afternoon Despatch and Courier of February9, 2000. Kekoo'sassociation with the art world began around 1941 whenhis framing shop at Princess Street, Chemould Frames, saw artists like Ara, Raza, Chavda, Hebbar,Hussain,etc

bring their paintingsto be framed, notes a press release from the Gallery.It was in 1963 that GalleryChemould started from the firstfloor of the Jehangir Art Gallery as a sponsoring gallery, the first of its kind in Bombay.

Through the years,Gallery Chemould

has been in the forefront of innumerable events and exhibitions, among them be ing the two BombayArts Festivals in '74 and '87, Hussain's retrospective en titled "21years of painting," the Festival

oflndia in Great Britainin'65 for which Khambattaand her

the central ministry of educationand culture invitedKekoo to accompany the exhibition to London. In recent years, notes their profile, Shireenhas been actively associated with museum direc tors in Australia for interaction with the art world there. H. P. G.

Awareness through art

"To say that he justdabbles in water

colorswould be criminal.Each of his works are a reflection of life and an attempt to shake people out of their apathetic reverie...Cyrus Wadi a has been fighting an ongoingbattle of making himself heard and seen over the din and themelee of an art world gone materialistic," notes an introduction to the "artist in agony" or the "artist of pain" in Cita del Pune.

Whether it is depicting child prosti tution or the superficial attemptsat clean ing the environment, Wadia's paintings "disturb you in the extreme as each of hispowerful water colorsare the kind that make you squirm,avert gazes and shuffle your feet in discomfort. They have the power to move you, yes. But feel good? No. Not if you have a con science," writes Corina B. Manuel in the

creations

August 1999 issue of Cita del Pune.

"Art is about talking, about messages, creating awareness. It is powerful," Wadia was quoted in the article. "It's very disheart ening to continueworking when you have no response ...We need some- body to see the work, ap-

preciate it. If not buy it, then at least appreciate it! Though, buying it helps us to live," he continued. He was refer ring to the poor feedback to his work on child prostitution exhibited at Bombay's Jehangir Art Gallery even though it wasspecified that the proceeds would help children. "It's basically a very unfairprofession," believes the artist, adding, "I'll keep doing my statements and pushing them."

There are timesthough when he wanted to throw in the towel but was motivated to continue on the insistence of his wife Gayatri whom he describedas his "biggest strength ...biggest inspi ration."Hecommentedonthethree

months of efforts, eight hours a day that go into creating a meaningful painting, therewards for which are ofttimes lack ing, and was planningto pursue a course at Photo Studio forcomputer graphics so that ifhe needed to get intothe com- mercialfield or do adver tising to sustain himself and his family,he would

have the wherewithal. His earlier train ing was at Bombay'sJ. J. School of Art and the Columbus Collegeof Art and Designin USA, mentions the article.

Ceramic creations

For her, painting is a passion,a means

of expressing her spontaneity. From

fabric and oil paintingto images on glass and acrylic (see "Mirror Images," Parsiana, September 1997), Ahmeda bad-based artist Delna Khambatta has now moved to creations in ceramics which she terms 'Cerafusion.' "Glass painting has becometoo common. I always like to do somethingdifferent," she observes.

Khambatta explainsthatcrafting

stoneware is a very difficult process, requiring firing temperatures varying from 750°C to 1,200°C andany mis· takes made during the processcan in no way be rectified later!Before stoneware is fired it is more fragile than even glass, she notes. Each pieceis painstakingly handmade, designspainted on it and embellishedwith a final glaze.

Khambatta laughingly narrates the adventures that attended the making of the 230 ceramic creations - vases, plates, frames, tiles, jewellery, etc - she displayedat an exhibition in Ah medabad in October 1999. Each day

Wadia with his hauntingpainting

Photo: Citadel Pune

62Pars/ana April 2000

would bring a new disaster- the kiln would break down, or the compressor taken on hire would play truant, or it would decide to rain just when the artefacts had been put out to dry in the sun in the spacious compoundof the family home in Ahmedabad! It is imperative that stoneware is thor oughly dried as any moistureremain ing means cracks will appear while it is being fired,she elucidates. "Fora crucial 24 hours I have to be with the objects and have umpteen heart at tacks! I would sit guardingthe artefacts every afternoon, makingsure visiting postmen or intruding dogs wouldn't knock down the delicate objects," she grins.

Khambatta animatedly delineates the art of beautifying each piece - with brush-painted designsor cone work, flowers stuckon, each petalmade, folded andjoined in a time-consuming process.Two months of hard workwent into the exhibition, she observes. "Though I do attend a few classeson ceramic-making when I come to Bombay, most of the time I learn thingsentirely on my own through trial and error," she discloses, as new art forms continue to fire herimagination. H.P.G.

Addlife to the years

"India is aging rapidly and soon will be

an agingsociety. So farour response to the aging processin the country is luke warm and servicesare hardly available for the aged ... thereis little understand ing of the issues of elderly in the country to formulate any meaningful policy...To gain properunderstanding of the issues related to the elderlyit is necessary to study theexisting literature in this field," writes Dr C. A. K.Yesudian, professor and head, department of health services studies in his forewordto Elderly in India - Healthy? Happy? Helpless? Respected? Rewarded? Rejected?- An Annotated Bibliography in Searchof AnswersIn the Year of the Older Per sons- 1999. Published by the Docu mentation Cell, Centrefor Health Stud ies, Tata Institute of SocialSciences, Deonar, Bombay, this332-page compi lation is the work of Dr Malini Karkal and her assistants.

Karkal would be known to the Parsi communitybecause of her research pa perentitled "Demographic situationand factors responsible for decline of popu lation ofParsis" presentedat the Fourth World Zoroastrian Congressbased on a survey conductedin1982 under the

joint sponsorship of the International Institute for Population Sciences and the Bombay Parsi Punchayet.

SinceKarkal had revealedin that paper that 36 percent of the Parsi popu lation was aged over 55, this book is of special relevance to the community. Those ailing in the 55 plus age-group had maximum complaints of heart dis ease followed by diabetes, arthritis, blood pressure and digestive disorders.

The 884 articles, listed alphabetically,

authorwise, dealingwith the subjectof gerontology -the physiological, psy chological, social, economicand other parameters - are summarized in one paragraph each to serveas a ready reckoner for those interested in the sub ject. They constitute 287 pages of the book. A listing of books andtheses takes up another16 pages; the subject index, 10 pages; the author index, five pages; and the United Nations'principles for older persons,two pages.

"To add life to the yearsthat have been added to life," the United Nations General Assemblyhas recommended 18 principles under the heads of inde pendence, participation, care, self fulfilment. It concludes on the note: "People are created to give something

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back to the world. The best way to solve problems is to work together with com passion towards betterment of human life through helping improvethe quality of life of all individuals."

Dogged determination

Dev had been promiseda puppy for his

1Othbirthday. He was looking forward to taking custody of his own, beautiful,

Dalal:

"It made me cry every time I read it, but no one else seemed to like it. It was a complete flop. It was therefore with surprise that I read a letter from my pub lishers saying they would like to re-is-

ever read," has reassuredDalal that her efforts were not in vain.

Theimages created by Dalal and the illustrations by Shahnaz Arni remain with the reader long after the narrationof the story. Priced at Rs 40, the book is a welcomeread for all animal lovers and those seeking to cultivate respon sible and humane attitudesamong their children.

golden puppy when the sight of a de

jected Rajah, about to be shot, contributed to a change of heart. "Mother, do you supposethere are lots of peoplewho are cruel and unkind to animals?" en quires Dev of his mother, prompting her to reassure him, "People are generally kind and decent."

Thehighs and lows in the life of the levelheaded Dev, the trialsand tor ture encountered by Ra jah are all related with compassion and under standing by Nergis Dalal in her 87-page book for children, The Birthday Present. "It is based on a true story," mentionsDalal in a letter to Parsiana.

sensitive to life suethe book," con-

fessed Dalal in her middle in The Times of India of Decem ber 29, 1999. First published by Orient Longman Limited in 1972, this book was issuedas a Gul Mohar book (an imprint of Orient Longman,3-6-272 Himayat nagar,Hyderabad 500029,Andhra

Pradesh) in 1997.

As notes an introduction to the author, "Nergis Dalal is pas sionately fond of animalsand writes articlesand stories on the environmentand on preventing cruelty to animals. She has three children and lives permanently in Dehra Dun." Her eight-year old granddaughter Meenakshi' s stamp of approval on the presentslim volume with a declaration that "this is the best book I have

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volved are the Blind

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64Parsiana April 2000

THE TUSSLE FOR TRUSTEESHIP

continued from page 23

Rustom Hormuzdiar. Throughout the day these representatives had sat with the registers, dutifully tickingoff the voters as they came. It prevented the fracas that had erupted 10 minutes be fore closingtime at Tamboly's election In October 1996when anangry

Several ailing people came to cast

their vote, among them a young lady on dialysis

Hormuzdiar had refused to complywith Rustom Tirandaz'slate demand for such a count.

Evenso the day saw verbal skir mishes between the lone Kadva and the strategically located Bhathena teamfac ing him which occupied the first left pavilion on the approachroad to the Hall as voters often turned to it for guidance.Further up the slope sat the BPP staff in their shamianaverifying

BONDING IN BANDRA

continued from page 43

eluded Dhunmai Mehta, Masani,

Nusserwanji Khariwalla, SheraNanavati and others, with "lofty aims" of assist ing the needy Zoroastrians of Bandra and bonding togetherthe suburb's resi dents through group activities. Sheriar makes special mention of the late Ratti Kapadia, "almost a 'one-man institution,"' who functioned as honorary sec-

In 1860, Byramjee Jeejeebhoy built his summerhouse at LandsEnd, donating land for a park and recreation ground

retaryfor three decades.The BPA was registered as a public charitable trust in 1954andNavroze Baria was BPA presi dent for around 30 years. "Lady Hirabai Cawasji Jehangir was the patron of our Association and presided over our silver jubilee celebrations," he recalls.

NO VOTERS, NO VOICE

continued from page 28

If the electoral rights,as a first step,

are extended to at least 5,000 people in our community, the elections in my opin ion will be made more meaningful and representative and the community, by and large, will take greater interestin its affairs.

Everyone knows that there is po

larization on the board of trusteeson manyimportant matters. The Parsi Press has a very importantrole to play in molding publicopinion so that the BPP trustees, who are but human, can have the benefit of variousopinions and take constructive criticism into account while arriving at important decisions.

Ruby PhirozeLilaowala is a freelance writer/columnist. She was a specialcorrespon dent for The Gulf Times and was a censorship officerfor the government of Qatar.Af ter graduation she studied

law and lectures in India and abroad on religion,theosophy and other subjects.

certificates and issuingduplicates and

facing them, acrossthe road, sat veteran

Between 1980-1996, the BPA Youth Wing, comprising100 boys and girls,

Kavarana supportersoftheerstwhile

CER, notably BPP trustee Mehta whose 20-year involvement with community politics has yielded much experienceand an equal measure of confidence.

Somepudding was on hand when the result was satisfactorily established and Bhathena personally fed a piece to Kavarana ere she was whisked away to receive the ovation of her supporters in the compound below.

lame's Navrozissuecarried

Bhathena' s full page advertisement thanking his supporters and congratu lating Kavarana. It also noted how the

battle at the hustingshad helped him

winnow his true friends"from the few

who pretended to be my friends," add ing, ''I have emergedstronger, wiser and more aware."

On her part Kavarana despatched a letter of thanks dated March 21 to indi vidual AC members"for giving me an other opportunity to serve our dear com munity and continue the work which I set out todo seven years ago... My sincere thanks to all my supporters, well wishers, co-trustees, friends and col leagues of the CER for all the help and encouragement that I was given during the elections."

65 Parsiana Apn! 2000

infused energy and enthusiasminto the

activities, organizing quiz programs, fashion parades, etc which providedfrolic and added to the Association's kitty, narrates Sheriar.At the moment the Youth Wing is rather dormant,he rues, because many of the earlier mem bers have gone abroad and others like his son, Dr Nozer Sheriar, well-known gynecologist and obstetrician, are pro fessionally preoccupied. "We are look ing out for a 'third string' (generation) to revive the activities," he says.

Tracing thehistoryofBandra

Parsis, the BPA write-upnarrates that community migrationto the suburb beganabout 150 yearsago. In 1860, Byramjee Jeejeebhoy builthis sum merhouse at LandsEnd, donating a large parcel ofland to the government for a park and recreationground. The road leading to the Band Stand, where Bandra residents and visitorsgather of an evening to savor the balmy sea breeze and roadsiderefreshments, was named after him. The House of Tatas built the Tata Blocks in the 1930s, adding to the area's Zoroastrian num bers.In Sheriar' s view those who have once stayed in Bandra "never want to leave!"

ON BORDI' S BEACHES

continued from page 46

another delegate, the beach and the ocean morethanmadeupforall the long,

agonizing lectures he was made to sit through. Certain other delegatesshared the view that though the speakers were knowledgeable and spoke very well the discussions on religion were a little too intense. "There shouldbe lesser lecturesand more interaction," suggestedMonaz Vakil of Ahmedabad. But the youth did have their share of fun by dancinginto the wee hours of the morning. They also sang their heartsout in a game of Antakshari conductedone night around abonfire. No matterwhat complaints or suggestions were made, in retrospect, the three-day seminar was a success in more ways than one.

Thirteen may seem an unlucky number to many, but for FOZYA, the

hosts. and this batch of delegates the combination proved to be a lucky one.

The youth were provided with a plat form to express their ideas and views and they came up with many a pro ductive suggestion. And the thinking youth of a communitycan be sure to propel it to greater heights of achieve ment.

THE LEGAL INNINGS ...

continued from page 54

Jangoo. The book has its own history.When it was firstpublished in1950 Kanga and Palkhivala were sued forplagiarism and breach ofcopyright by Sampath Iyengarwhose own bookonincometax law had been the reference work in use till then. At the request of the authorsGagrat undertook to defend the ac tion in the Madras High Court, informsA narration of eventscompiled by the partners of Gagrat and Com pany on the firm's golden jubilee in 1984. InitiallyR.

J. Kolah and subsequently

H. M. Seervaiappeared for Kanga and Palkhivala. "Af

ter Palkhivala steppedinto the witness box and gave evidencedisproving the false allegations levelled against him in what Gagrat recollects as one of the most brilliant testimonies given in court, the judge dismissed the suit with a cer tificate for Kanga and Palkhivala. The plaintiff in the suit saw to it that the judgement is not reportedin any of the authorized Law Reports. Thereafter the editions of Kanga and Palkhivala have never looked back."

Tehmtan Andhyarujina, who there after became solicitor general of India, had recalledat the '94 celebration the longfriendship between Gagrat and his own father Rustomji that had begun during their school years. "Both started life with great disadvantage and rose the hard way." Brieflywith the firm at the inception of his legal career, Andhyarujina remembered Gagrat teaching him "how to talk to the judge." Referring to the companyas a "khandaani firm -you can associate the highest thingswith

Gagrat and Company," Andhyarujina noted, "If a professional person, a judge, wants help, they turn to Gagrat and Com pany; put their children in Gagrat and Company for training (because it is an) ennobling experi ence..."

In 1990Agarwalahad emphasized Gagrat' s high professionaland

66 Parsiana Apn/2000

moral standards and values. "Henever worksfor himself. He works for the firm of Gagrat and Company and he incul cates the same feelingin everybody. When a notice is sent by any partner,it is sent by Gagrat and Company and everybody knows what a notice from Gagrat and Company means, and what will be thekindofdocumentifitisgiven to Gagratand Company for drafting. He may not be there, I may not be there and some of you may not be there, but he has seen to it that this firm grows on the foundation laid by him on solid ground and the foundation is deep and this firm will go on for a very very long time."

As a youngattorney Gagrat had had to brief the redoubtable Sir Chimanlal Setalvad and in lateryears his son Motilal. Speakingto Parsiana in March 2000 Gagrat recalled that Chimanlal dyed his hair black while Motilal,who was fully grey,did not, raisingconfu sion as to who was the father and who the son. His association with them was a

happy one.

In the Law Society article Gagratrecalled how impressed he was with MohammedAli Jinnah's oratory. As hon orary secretary of the Bombay StudentsBroth erhoodwhich was inter ested in the political movement in the coun try he had invitedJinnah to address them. And as attorney he had briefed

Gagrat at Wilson College Literary Society (standing, 5th fromleft) and one of the rebellious Setalvadprogeny (seated, 2ndfromleft). Below: With Chagla

the fiery advocate.He recalled an in stance when they appearedin a chamber matter before Justice Mirza who was hostile to Jinnah and passed unfavor able orders and dismissedthem before their submission was complete. Jinnah sent for Gagrat later, remarked that the chamber summonswas wrongly dis missed and suggested that the client be advised to file an appeal. When Gagrat noted that his clienthad not the means to filean appeal, Jinnah told him to go ahead anyway, assuringhim that there would be no charge for his appearance in the chamber summonsnor for the appeal.The matter was pursued, the appeal court set aside Mirza's order and the particulars asked for in the chambe( summons were directed to be given. "From this time my relations with Jinnah became closer and I used to frequent his chambers often," wrote Gagrat.

It was in Jinnah's chambersthat Gagratfirst met M. C. Chagla,then a junior advocate, and had occasionto briefboth on many occasions. The friend ship with Chagla enduredthrough his years as ajudge (Chaglabecame the first Indian chief justiceof the Bombay High Court in August 1947),his ambassador ship in the US, his years in the central cabinet and later as counsel at the Su preme Court.In his birthday greetings to

Gagratin 1974 Chagla had written,"I will always remember your great kind ness to me as one of the roses in Decem ber of my life."

Fromits first decadethe firm had taken up public interestlitigation, spe cifically the cause of citizensagainst the state, challenges to the legislative com petence of laws and the legalityof ex ecutive actions, notes the Narration. Such cases increased with the Constitu tion of India coming into force and the promulgation of new laws.

In 1948, on the consecration of a dokhma in Bangalore, an attempt was made by the orthodox elements there to put the hithertofunctioning aramgah out of use. Prof A. R. Wadiaofthe University ofMysore, a community scholar, decided to oppose the orthodox view and to de fend the right of communitymembers to opt for eithermode of disposal of the dead. At Wadia's request Gagratperson ally handled the legal proceedings. The evidence of eminent scholarsin the com munity like Dastur (Dr)Maneckji Dhalla, Dr Jamshed Unwalla and otherswas re corded on commission in the Court of Small Causes in Bombay. The orthodox view was rejectedby the court. Wrote Wadia in his book on the case(Bangalore ParsiAnjuman VsStateofMysore)fought in the Mysore High Court,"We have established the principle that dokhma is not a matterof religion and we have done this through the mouths of the orthodox witnesses for the plaintiffs... (Gagrat's) conductof the case in Bombaybroke the back of the so-called orthodox witnesses. Our thanksto him and particularly for his having taken up the case more as a labor of love than of business."

A rationalist and a freethinker Gagrat

carriedthe banner of revolt againstblind orthodoxy in the community. When noted solicitor and Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustee Shiavax Vakil had soughtto apprise the community of the woeful conditions of the dokhmasin 1973, Gagrat supported him through out the ensuingbitter controversy. When

•25-year-old RoxanShah (nee Nazir) was denied funerary rights at doon gerwadi in 1990, Gagrat'sletters of remonstration were prominent in The Bombay Samachar.It was he who spear headed the legal action that won Parsi women married to non-Parsis the right to vote at BPPelections in 1981 and he goaded them into formingthe Associa tion of Inter-Married Zoroastrians in 1991 that finally wonfromthe

67 Parsiana April 2000

Punchayet the right to be consigned to the dokhma at the end of theirlives. Rustamji had been chairmanof the Zo roastrian Cooperative Bank Limitedfor 13 years, was a directorof the Jam-e Jamshed until orthodox philanthropist Nanabhoy Jeejeebhoy took it over and served diligently on the governing board of the B. D. PetitParsee General Hospi tal. "I've lost interest in the affairsof my community," Palkhivalhad confessed, adding "notRustamji."

During the Emergency (i.QJ5-77) the firm acted on behalf of leading members of the Bombay bar and former judges of the High Court. When the executiveef fected preventive detention of political opponents, Gagrat and Companyfiled habeas corpus petitions; when detenues were ill-treated, there were applications for their human and civilized treatment; censorship orders were challenged. When former chief justicesChagla and J. C. Shah and former judge N. P. Nathwani wanted to hold a public meeting and were banned from doing so, Palkhivala, Ram Jethmalani, K. S. Cooper,A. B. Divan, Soli Sorabjeeand 153 other advocates instructed by Gagrat and Companyap peared on their behalf before the division bench of the BombayHigh Court which struck down the prohibitory orders of the police commissioner and upheld the right of dissent and the maintainability of writ petitions challenging the legality of such orders even when Article 19 of the Con stitution was suspendedduring the Emer gency.

This and many otherlandmark judg ments were secured by meticulous preparation. But even 10 years ago Gagrat was repelledby the declining standards of professionalism in the world around him, noting in his forth right way, "Those who have to work with me know I have a peculiartem perament for perfection ... and I am al ways anxious that anylawyer who wants to practise must have properknow ledge of both law and facts. But today I find the situation has completely changed... I am really disappointed how matters are nowadaysattended to in court and even in our office. It may be that I may be highlycritical but that is my reaction to what is happening around here. I amreally sorry."

Responding to his partners' speechesin 1990, the 90-year-old Gagrat had registered his regret: "Never in my life have I addressed any gathering sitting as I am doing today but it is the signal of

age and I wish that all your wishes (for

a) long life may be negativedsoon, becauseit is at my expense." His wife Mani had predeceased him after 56 years of marriage, as had hisdaughter Bachoo. Two years after the celebration he had to confrontanother blow when his daughter Najoo succumbed to cancer. The devotionof his son Jangoo to him self and the firm has sustainedhim and he acknowledges his gratitude publicly. Listing the four major happy events in his life as the establishment of the firm, the first partnership with Chandrakant Mehta, the establishment of the Delhi office, said to be the first firm of solici tors there, and the arrival of Jangoo as apartner, Gagrat had said, "I must admitthat after he joined the partnership ofthefirm the work of the firm has consid erably increased and he has practically taken over the leadershipof the firm." Happy to list three Gagrats,three Janis and threeAgarwalas in the firm, Gagrat declared, "Today I have the satisfaction that I have the goodwill, affection,re gard and respectfrom my partners... and members of my staff right to thelevel of sepoy. At the end of my life I have got this great satisfaction. There isnothing more that I can want."

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BOOKS

Marshall's tender tales

Mastercame along. Except for a few titles, the qualityofKhabardar' s unpub lished work was not known. Mamuraj, for instance,was an unpublished work in Gujarati. Lovers ofGujarati language

Narinan Ha an Sonanan Ha an - Parsi Sansari Tukki Vartao by Dr Ratan Rustomji Marshall. Published in 1999 by Harsh Prakashan, near Fuwara,Gandhi Road, Ahmedabad380001. Pp: 30 + 258. Price: Rs

110.

This collection of short storiesby Dr Ratan Marshall covers the social life of Gujarat' s Parsis. The other collection of short storiesin Gujarati by Bapsy Engi neer dealt with the same theme, but the period covered in it took you back by about100 years. In

this book Marshallwrites about the changing currents in the lives of people in general and how these have affected the Parsis: like the end of the joint fam

ilysystem,divorce Marshall:

and its traumas, theunderstanding concept of individu- women's hearts ality and of equalsta-

tus of man and woman, the influenceof higher education, etc.

A comparison with Engineer's col lection publishedin 1999 is inevitable. Apart from her elegant language,the central themes of her stories are the valor, heroismand tenderness of women

while the stories in Narinan Haiyan ...

give its readers only one message:that

women have "golden hearts," soft, full ofdelicate feelings. This may be so, but the statement is not universally true. Still, this perception is supported by stories like 'Vahu Avi,' which depictsthe life ofGulshan Khambatta. Gulshan is a godly soul. The storybalances gross human failures against the greatverities of life. A very humane piece, it touches the heart.

Another such story is 'Jodia Bhaio'

(thetwins), Armin and Ramyar. A sen sitive story, it will remain in the reader's mind for a long time.

A few more stories may be men tioned: 'HatariaHouse' which is a por trait of Dina Hatariaand her grandfa ther, Dosabhai.The two characters in 'Salgiri,' Siloo and Bahadurji Uncle, are both loveable. One is old and lonely,the

68 Parsiana Apri/2000

other a very young girl. Siloo, who has tender feelings for her old neighbor, BahadurjiBastavala. 'Dhanabad' has a theme similar to that of 'Hataria House'

- the influenceof city life on the younger generation which conflicts with the love of old people for their limited village life and their friends still living there. The old desireto live in a pastthat is fading away, while the young long to taste the glamor of the new age. Theprincipal characters are usually one young and one old, the elderlyones 1ather pathetic in their longing for by gone days.

The trauma of divorce is another

themeMarshall handles in 'Ansu' (tears), 'Shikelan-Bhanelan'(educated beings), 'Jeevan-Hai-Sangram' (life is a grim tussle) and in some other stories.They depict the failure of relationships with its sorryeffect on childrenand on adults who have to struggle with guilt and remorse.

By and large,these stories read rather

like good essays than roundly etched short stories. They are readablebut fail to grip the imagination. This reminds the reviewer of famous writerswhose later work turned out to be weaker than their prize-winning literary creations.

HORMAZDYARS.DALAL

Themuse and Master Sanchayika, Kavi Khabardarni Kavyayatra compiled by Dr Dharmendra M. Master

(Madhuram). Publishedin 1998 by Rashtrakavi A. F. Khabardar Janmashatabdi Prakashanmala and Ajit Prakashan, 50, Kalavihar, 2nd Floor,Jayanagar, Usmanpura. Aurangabad431005. Pp: 500. Price: Rs 160.

This is one more work broughtout by Dr Dharmendra Master and the grand daughter of the poet, Manek K. Khabardar. The volume also contains a well researched 24-pagecritique on the poetry of Kavi Khabardar followed by 300 pagesof selected poemsin Gujarati and English.

Khabardar was a prolific writer.In

all,he wrote and published about 21 collections of poems in Gujarati during his lifetime.He also left behind work which saw the light of day only when

and literature knew about its existence at the timeofthepoet'sdeath. Similarly,

loversof his poetry were awareof his collections in English,Silken Tassel, for example, but other work alsoexisted

whichhad yet to be published. But where was it, was the question. Who possessed the poems? And would they be available for posthumous publication?

Madhuram made all possible attempts to answer these questions.From the time he decided to do his thesis on

Khabardar in Gujarati, he came to know that some prose work existedtoo. His preliminaryresearch led him to explore the poet's writings in Gujarati as well as in English.He discovered that not only

was Khabardar a fine poet-one of the front rank poets of Gujaratiliterature along with Kavi Nanalal and others but also a good prose writer.

On completing his thesis, Master did

more research and discovered where the unpublishedworks of the poet were lying in obscurity. He approached the persons for the manuscripts and orga nized the financialdeals involved in their publication. Not an easy task but Master worked at it and got the required monetary help from Parsi men and women, from Parsi charityfunds and trusts, the Bombay Parsi Punchayet,the Surat Panchayat and other community organizations. It was a stupendous task, which he performed creditably.

Itis not to be concluded from this that all Parsi individuals and trusts who sub scribed to Master'sproject were lovers of Gujaratiliterature or had even read Khabardar. This reviewer firmlybelieves that it was the universal reputationof the poet of Gunvanti Gujarat and 0Bharat Ma Pukar and Khappar Bharo Bharo Ho that was chieflyresponsible for the help Master receivedto attain his cher ished goal.

Hundreds of Khabardar' s poems were popular all over India.He was a poet who wrote nationalsongs or songsof freedom before Gandhiji appearedon the scene of the Indian freedommovement. He was also the poet who gave Gujaratiliterature a vastcanvas. He wrotebhajans, songs of freedom, Gandhi Bapu,Bapuno Pavado, etc, garbasand ras, poems of nature;and

who does not know of his Darshamika, the elegy written on the death of his daughterTehmina?Itis replete with philo sophical musingson life and nature, of the equation of this world with the other, ofthe seen and the unseen.

Rarely had a Gujarati poet covered

such a wide varietyof poetic themes. Is there a Zarathushti who is ignorantof Khabardar's Shri lranshahNo Pavado (1942)and of his classic work, Asho Zarathushtra-ni Gatha-o-par Navo Prakash (Newlight on the Gathas of Asho Zarathushtra). This work of re search is availableboth in Gujarati and English.

It could well be said that Master has once again made a valuablecontribu tion to Khabardar's work and to the Parsi community. The present volume of collectedpoems will certainlyprove as worthy as Khabardar-na-Patro, a collectionof Khabardar' s letters, pub lished in 1992, and Khabardar-na Gadya Lekho,prose articles writtenby Khabardar ( 1996). Master has also pub lished works of the poet in English.They are worth having in one's personallibrary for reference and for reading some of his beautifulpoems when the moodpermits.H. s. D.

Of songs and stage shows Parsi Rangabhumina Geeto compiled by Dr Dharmendra M. Master (Madhuram). Pub

lished in 1999 and distributed by Gurjar GranthratnaKaryalaya, Gandhi Marg, Ratanpole Naka, Ahmedabad 380001. Pp:

152. Price: Rs 100.

The Parsi Gujaratitheater has a hoary history. The Bombay Theatre (in Bombay) was established as far back as 1750, with the purpose of entertaining British soldiers.

Dadabhai Naoroji took the cue and venturedto stage a Parsi Gujaratiplay in a the ater located at Grant Road on October28, 1853. This first Gujaratiplay was based on an episode selectedfrom the Shah Nameh. More plays in ParsiGujaratifollowed.In

for nearly 86 years.The New Baliwala Dramatics was the last company. In all about 29 Parsi companies were active, and between them they staged 165plays and had a troupe of 58 Parsi players.

To begin with, socialproblems of the community formedthe theme of these

plays; the tone was usu allyserious. But as the movement progressed, the plays became lighter. Laughter, hilarious laugh ter was the main ingredi ent, and humorousenter tainment continued to be the objective ofplaywrights till Adi Marzban and his followers came on the scene. The plays now stagedwere not al ways originalbut adapta tions of Englishplays. Alsoplaysbasedon mythological themes,epi

sodes from Indian and Iranian history,

socialevils of the day, etc were per formed. The ultimate aim of the theater was to reform society.

Inthe collection under review, Dr Dharmendra Master has given us 142 songs authoredby different writers.For the play Gopichand and a number of others, songs were composed by Edulji Khory, Kaikhasru Kabraji,Nanabhai Ranina, ArdeshirPatel, Dara Mehta, Dolly Palkhivala and many others.

Songs were not part of the play script before thedays ofKabraji.lt was he who introduced songs and for this purpose founded the Natak UttejakMandli. He himselftook extensive trainingin clas sical Indian music under an ustad and composed songs for his famous play Rustom-Sohrab.

Religious songs, songs of nature, love songs, songs for tiny tots, ghazals and garbas were writtenand presented. Not onlysongs in Gujaratibut also in English were in cluded in ParsiGujarati plays like Najan-Shirin, Kantanu Katesar, Dhun Dhun Dhori, etc. Hindi songs too were

ticles on Parsi Gujaratitheater; life sketches of Khurshedji RustomjiCama (1831-1909), Madame Bhikhaiji Cama andNani Palkhivala; nine appendices to cover noteworthy plays staged by Parsitheater companies; notes on Parsiplay wrights and their plays,well-known Parsi

actors and actresses; a list of first plays staged by Parsi theatercompa nies; and some Parsi Gujarati playswith songs and their first lines. This information is likely to be very useful to the reader seriouslyinter ested in the subject.

Master has surely ren dered good service to

theater lovers in general and the Parsi Gujarati stage in particular. Not much has been written on the subject, except for

a couple of books, the latest one being a

thesisby Dr Gopal Shastri. Dr Ratan Marshall has also done some work in this area.

It is sad that a vibrant mediumlike the theater -particularly the regional theater- ended by the '30s of the 20th century. A few professional theaterslike

the Bhang Wadi in Bombaydid survive but soon they too had to close their doors. Also theaterhouses in which to produce the plays were simplynot there.

When Adi Marzbancame on the

scene, he had to begin his activityby bookingcinema theaters on hire, or by engaging public halls.He continued the old tradition of Parsi Gujaratiplays. Others like FerozeAntia, Homi Tavadia, DorabMehtaandYazdiKaranjia(Surat) followed suit, and wroteand staged Parsi Gujarati plays. The revival by AdiMarzban alsoinfluenced Vijay Ten dulkar, P. L. Deshpande and others to inject new life into the Marathi theater. Hindi, Marathi and Gujaratitheaters in Bombay, Ahmedabad, Poona and Delhi began to functionactively. Calcutta was another city famous for highly professional theater.

But this is past history. The death of

thebeginning, the language Master: bringing

of the plays was Gujarati, but Khabardar to the

they were interspersed with masses

farces in Hindi. The plays did

included, e.g.Dil Farosh

written by Nanabhai Ranina had songs in Hindi. The play was stagedbytheAlfred

the theatermovement in India, as also in

England, was due to the introduction of the cinema.First the silentpictures, then the talkiesreplaced the theater.Theater

not have songs.

Three years later, in 1856, the Parsi Natak Mandli was established and the professional Parsi Gujaratitheater lasted

69 Parsiana April 2000

Natak Company.

Apartfrom the songsfrom Parsi Gujaratiplays, the volume compiled by Masteralsoincludesintroductoryar-

requires enterprise, sponsors, experi

enced playwrights, producers and ac tors. It demands a lifelong dedication.

H. S.D.

MILESTONES
The age of Zoroastrian brides (as	registered for February. Two	Homi Peshotan Nanavaty;	Bhabha Rd, Bandra (W),
listed in this issue) ranged be	youths, both males aged 28 and	February 3	400050; December 16, 1999
tween 23 and 40 years, the arith	30, were also lost to the commu	Arzan Viraf Dodhi and Rustom	(cremated)
metic mean (the total number of	nity. The youngest and eldest to	Sam Dhanbhoora; February 6	Behram Mellashaw
individual ages divided by the	breathe their last were also both	Rashne Rusi Munshi and	Khandhadia (51), 8, Fab,
total number of brides) being 26	males: a three-day baby and a	Farzad Noshir Patel;	Ekveera Co-op Hsg Soc, Opp
years. The corresponding figures	98-year-old. The Zoroastrian life	February 6	Sai Marbles, Talegaon,
for the grooms were 25 and 55	expectancy at birth for Febru	Binaifer Jal Contractor and	Dabhade, 411507;
years, averaging at 31 years.	ary, in Bombay, was 76 years.	Hormuzd Dady Billimoria;	January 31, 2000
There were 67 Zoroastrians	The data on births, marriages	February 8	Sheroo Jal Talati (82), 66/D,
who were consigned to the Tow	and deaths has been compiled	Meherangiz Edal Kolah of	Soonaiji Ter, Gowalia Tank,
ers of Silence in February 2000	from information supplied by	Navsari and Hoshi Bejan	400036; January 31
as compared to only 11 births.	various newsletters and anju	Bharucha; February 10	MacakmaiManecksha
Heart disease took a toll of 30	mans in India and abroad, courts	Mehroo Homi Engineer and	Damania (82), C/o Freny
lives, 19 of whom were in the	and hospitals. This information	Firdos Minoo Karai;	Damania, 7/B, Navjivan Soc,
80+ age-group. Nine patients	is not always complete or con	February 10	Lamington Rd, 400008;
succumbed to cancer and four	sistent: we are unable to carry	Binaifer Kersi Mistry and	February 1
each to old age/general debility	data from areas where the anju	Rayomand Aspi Pastakia;	Nargish Dinshaw Vania (80),
and lung related diseases. The	mans do not furnish the particu	February 10	Room no 9, Sidhwa Bldg,
other killers were diabetes and	lars; the birth figures for Bombay	Brenznitar Sarosh Sarkari and	Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007;
brain disease (three each) and	are supplied by four hospitals	Vistasp Dara Bhesania;	February l
hypertension and kidney failure	births in suburban hospitals and	February 12	Nergish Tehmurasp Wadia
(two each). Immunodeficiency	private nursing homes are not	Zena Minoo Master and Yazdi	(81), C/17, West Wing,
syndrome, osteoporosis (loss of	included unless individuals send	Jal Mistry of London, UK;	Contractor Baug, Mori Rd,
bone density due to excessive	us information together with a	February 12	Mahim, 400016; February 1
absorption of calcium and phos	copy of thebirth certificate. There	Roozmehr Minoo Karkaria and	Shirin Kaikhushroo Dotiwalla
phorus from the bone), diabetic	may be an inadvertent repetition	Cherag Firoze Bardoliwala;	(91), 757, Parsi Clny, Dadar,
gangrene, asthma, hypothyroid	of names in the marriage list	February 14	400014; February 2
ism (symptoms caused by defi	when a civil marriage precedes a	Firoza Framroz Desai and	Sheroo Darabsha Kolsawala
ciency of thyroid secretion),	religious ceremony. In the break	Darayus Bomi Daroga;	(84), Readymoney Bldg no 2,
toxoplasmosis (an infection by	up of deaths according to ill	February 14	Sir Ratan Tata Rd, Tardeo,
toxoplasma parasites), Opitz syn	nesses, especially of the elderly,	Khurshid Adi Bharucha and	400034; February 2
drome, psoriasis (a chronic skin	death is often due to a combina	Adil Keki Kotwal; February 17	Jal Nadirsha Bilimoria (77),
disease in which the reddened	tion of several diseases.	Navaz Pervez Bavaadam and	402/A, Rajgir, Kohinoor Rd,
skin areas are covered with	Ifreaders have any births/mar	Neville Dinyar Bharucha;	Dadar TI, 400014; February 3
scales), malnutrition, jaundice,	riages/deaths they would like pub	February 18	Mehroo Jal Kharas (83), 7,
dehydration, hyperpyrexia (ex	lished, some proof to ensure the	Humin Kersy Bhagat and	Mohamedbhoy Mans, Patkar
cessive body temperature), sep	veracity of the report would be	Burzin Manek Daver,	Marg, Kemps Comer, 400036;
ticemia, hemiplegia (paralysis of	required. We are sure our readers	February 20	February 3
one side of the body) and liver	would appreciate this require	Tinaz Aspi Jassawalla and	Feroze Keki Pardiwalla (59),
disease were the isolated cases	ment and cooperate with us.	Doryush Sohrab Jangi;	Readymoney Bldg no 3, Sir
		February 21	Ratan Tata Rd, Tardeo,
AHMEDNAGAR	A girl to Navaz and Neville	Khushnum Hoshedar Bas/a	400034; February 3
DIED	Mehta; February 15	and Persy Xerxes Avari of	Munchershaw Edulji Variava
Meher Nagarwalla (50),	A boy to Shiraz and Dosu	Ahmedabad; February 22	(98), F/50, Cusrow Baug, S. B.
wife of Behram on	Sarkari; February 22	Zenobia Yezdi Mehta and	Rd, 400039; February 4
February 15, 2000	A boy to Khushnoor and	Sohrab Rustomji Captain;	Dara Motabhai Bilimoria (79),
	Sarosh Tangri; February 26	February 24	Sethna Bhabha Bldg, B. Jaykar
BOMBAY		Burzana Danny Jalnawalla	Marg, 400002; February 5
BORN	MARRIED	and Guraz Hoshang	Jehangir Ardeshir Deboo (79Y,
A boy to Nazneen and Zubin	Anaitha Dhanjisha Maifatia	Wankadia; February 24	B/2, Petit Block, Balaram St,
Karkaria; February 3	and Pourus Khushru Vakil;	Benaifer Rusi Irani and Kersi	Grant Rd, 400007; February 5
A boy to Meher and Kursed	January 28	Farrokh Tata; February 26	Coomi Homi Sidhva (79),
Poonawala; February 3	Yashnaaz Homi Bhagalia and	Kamal Jehangir Pastakia and	101/6, Dadgar, Behram Baug,
A boy to Heena and Adil	Jimmy Phiroze Vesuna;	Daneshmand Homi Unwalla;	Parsi Clny, Oshiwara,
Engineer; February 7	January 30	February 26	Jogeshwari (W), 400102;
A girl to Hilla and Kurush	Pearl Dali Todiwalla and	Bita Fariborz Jadidi Kalantari	February 5
Amrolia; February 10 A boy to Naheed and Rushad	Zubin Dara Hilloo; January 31 Gulmohur Freddy Daruwalla	and Jahanbux Eruch Irani of Dahanu Rd; February 27	Phiroze Sorabji Talati (75), 15, Walchand Ter, Opp Nc
Divecha; February 10	and Farrokh Pheroze	Berafrid Bomi Umrigar and	Market, Tardeo, 400034;
A boy to Havovy and Pancham	Tarapore; January 31	Rohinton Adi Madon;	February 5
Hariramani; February 10	Yasmin Minoo Khambatta and	February 27	Hilla Rusi Ankleseria (78), 317,
A girl to Anita and Anosh	Khushroo Khurshed Bhadha;		Lady Dorab Tata Bldg, Tata
Shroff, February 11	February 1	DIED	Blocks, S. V. Rd, Bandra,
A girl to Bita and Shahrukh	Dinaz Nariman Wadiwalla	Kenneth Nadir Pedder,	400050; February 6
Irani; February IS	of Karachi, Pakistan and	residing at Sister Bglw, H. K.	Sarosh Jimmy Damania (30),

70 Parsiana April2000

C/31, Baney Compd, Tardeo, 400034; February 6	(84), Porbundur Castle, 3rd Pasta Lane, Co1aba, 400005;	400052; February 22 Rati Erach Sarkari (74),	Neville Dara Mody (67), Joanna Villa, 28th Rd, T. P. S.
Baby boy of Meher Kursed	February 13	Sethna Bldg, 87, Matarpakdi,	III, Bandra, 400050;
Poonawala (3 days), 122/B-A,	Spenta Pallonji Madan (79),	Mazagaon,400010;	February 29
Grand Paradi, Kemps Comer,	11, Sai Ashish, Tertulian Rd,	February 23
400026, February 6	Bandra, 400050; February 13	Pilloo Jal Wadia (78), 701,	CALCUTTA
Manek Kaikhushru Bharda	Minoo Rustomji Palkhiwala	Cumballa Crest, 42, Peddar	MARRIED
(70}, H-5/1, Godrej Hillside	(89), F137, Jer Baug, Dr	Rd, 400026; February 23	Jasmine Tarapore and Sourav
Clny, Vikhroli, 400079;	Ambedkar Rd, Byculla,	Cool Navroji Motiwalla (86),	Majumdar; February 23
February 7	400027; February 13	622, Palia Mans, Lady
Banoo Sorabji Bhesania (82),	Nariman Framroz Sahiar (73),	Jehangir Rd, Parsi Cloy,	DIED
2110, Mistry Bldg, Gamadia	803/A, Mistry Manor, Dadar,	Dadar, 400014; February 24	Jeroo Soli Pestonji, mother of
Cloy, Tardeo, 400007;	400014; February 13	Vispy Phiroze Patel (28), M/1,	Mithoo Vatcha, late Aban
February 7	Noshir Jalbhai Dhanbhoora	S. B. Bharucha Baug, S. V.	Oonvala and Zarine Sahai;
Jehangir Nusserwanji Katrak	(79), Bag-E-Shirin, Tithal Rd,	Rd, Andheri (W), 400058;	February 24
(83), Sheri Hse, Cawasji Patel	Valsad, 396001; February 14	February 24
St, Fort, 400001; February 7	Jehangir Meherwanji	Sorab Rustomji Balsara (62),	MADRAS
A van Jehangeer Mistree (85),	Bhumgara (72), C/20, Jer	201, Raj Laxmi Apts, Near	MARRIED
Farm Manor, Mistree Lane,	Baug, Dr Ambedkar Rd,	Suyog Mangal Karyalay,	Kamini V. R. Sukumaran and
Orlem, Malad (W}, 400064;	Byculla, 400027; February I5	Dombivli (E), 421203;	Neville Billimoria, son of
February 7	Minocher Jamshedji Rivetna	February 25	Niloufer and Jamshed;
Khorshed Firoze Mistry (89),	(95), 681/A, Khareghat Rd,	Dara Cawasji Engineer (56),	February I3
3, Gooi-Dhun Abad,	Parsi Cloy, Dadar, 4000I4;	785/A, Readymoney Bldg,
Jogeshwari (W), 400102;	February I5	Joshi Rd, Parsi Cloy, Dadar,	POONA
February 7	Adil Jal Unwala (53), 666,	4000I4; February 25	DIED
Nergish Ardeshir Mody (86},	Orient Hse, Lady Jehangir Rd,	Phiroze Rustomji Governor	Arnavaz Bharucha, sister of
A/I8, Shapur Baug, V. P. Rd,	Parsi Cloy, Dadar, 400014;	(84), 635, Munsiff Bldg, M.	Dariush Irani; January 30
400004; February 7	February 16	Joshi Rd, Parsi Cloy, Dadar,
Roshan Ratan Balsara (83},	Kersi Kaikhosroo Irani (69),	400014; February 25	SURAT
Kerawalla Mans, Carnac Rd,	I94, Talati Bldg, Khetwadi	Cool Faredoon Irani (83),	DIED
400002; February 9	Back Rd, 400004; February 17	B/14, Rustom Baug, Victoria	Perinbai Jehangirji
Bapsy Burjorji Khurshedji	Burjor Dinshawji Tantra (82},	Rd, Byculla, 400027;	Dhanjishaw (87), Nariman
(61), A/20, Shapur Baug,	Oomer Mans, 394, Grant Rd,	February 25	Home and Infirmary,
Congress Hse, Lamington Rd, 400007; February 9	400007; February 17 Ami Ratanshaw Elavia (80),	Kitty Framroze Panthaky (80), Terrace Cama, 26, Altamount	Shahpore, 395003; January 2I Coomi Hormusji Sidhwa (85},
Phiroze Dorabji Motiwala	32/A, Todiwalla Bldg, Sun	Rd, 400026; February 25	Meher Ngr, Village Adajan;
(80), 7, Narielvala Bldg, M. M.	Mill Rd, Lower Parel, 400013;	Aloo Homi Kapadia (78},	January 22
C. Rd, Mahim, 4000I6;	February IS	Alpaiwalla Bldg, M. M.	Baby boy of Noshir A.
February 9	Putla Phiroze Dossabhoy (97),	Chotani Rd, Mahim, 4000I6;	Coachman (six mths),
Homai Jehangir Wadia (89),	Jaiphal Ter, 3I, Forjett St,	February 26	Chimanlal Clerk Rd, Shahpore,
Motlibai Wadia Bldg,	400036; February I9	Lily Hirji Vacha (73), I6,	395003; January 27
Chikalwadi, Grant Rd,	Ratanbai Cooverji Mithawala	Hampton Court, I25,	Nadirshaw Aderji Patrawala
400007; February 9 Yazdi Jal Kapadia (55), 9, Jaiji	(94}, 405, Sibylle Apts, 65, Worli Hill Rd, 4000I8;	Wodehouse Rd, 400005; February 27	(80}, Karai Mans, Dangore St, Nanpura, 39500I;
Ter, Sleater Rd, 400007;	February 19	Freny Kali Mehta (80), C/o	January 28
February IO Freny Gustad Tampa/ (64),	Cool Phirozsha Master (93), Hormuzd Mans, Opp Bhatia	Kali Mehta, Roxana, 109, M. Karve Rd, Churchgate,	Dadiba Dosabhai Gaiwala (74), Shakti Apt, Vakil St,
R/34, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug,	Hosp, Tardeo, 400007;	400020; February 28	Shahpore, 395003;
400012; February IO Keki Nowroji Khambatta (89},	February 20 Rustom (Rustomji) Maneksha	Meherbanu Jal Vakil (95), 904, Cumballa Crest, 42,	February 14 Tehmul Sorabji Vaskooiwala
8, Sea Shell, Perry Rd, Bandra,	Bhadha (85}, M/28, Nowroz	Peddar Rd, 400026;	(38), Opp Dumasia Petrol
400050; February 1I	Baug, Lalbaug, 400012;	February 28	Pump, Madhi, Surali;
Hilla Fakirji Mistry (84), 38,	February 2I	Rata Nariman Hansotia (76),	February I4
Dubash Bldg, Walchand	Dara Framroze Rogers (76),	D-38/4, Godrej Staff Qrts,
Hirachand Marg, 40000I;	7-C/5, Sir Ratan Tata Bldg, Sir	L. B. S. Marg, Vikhroli (W),	AUSTRALIA
February II	C. J. Clny, Tardeo, 400034;	400079; February 29	New South Wales
Najamai Jalejar Bengali (82),	February 2I	Katayun Framroze Kanga	BORN
Damania Bldg, Chikalwadi,	Eruchsha Cawasji Sutaria	(77), I, Jumbo Co-op Hsg Soc,	A boy, Farzan, to Armeen
Grant Rd, 400007;	(80), C/o 5, Ravatl Chawl,	I st Rd, T. P. S. IV, Bandra	and Noshir Khan, brother to
February 12	Doongerwadi, Kemps Comer,	(W), 400050; February 29	Simin; November 22, 1999
Keki Jehangir Framji (75),	400036; February 2I	Jimi Nadirshaw Kathawalla
664, Roshan Mans, Parsi Clny,	Daulat Pheroze Bana (70),	(75), 4/2, Malcolm Baug,	MARRIED
Dadar, 400014; February 12	A/3, Godrej Baug, Off	Jogeshwari (W), 400102;	Persis Bhandara of Essex,
Aflatoon Kaikhushroo Irani	Nepeansea Rd, 400036;	February 29	UK, daughter of Shirin
(71}, Sorab Hse, Balaram St.	February 22	Goola Darabsha Mistry (78),	and Pervez, and Kaizad
Grant Rd, 400007;	Sam Erachshaw Kanga (75),	36/133, Petit Widows' Chaw!,	Bhandara, son of Roshan
February 12	19, Datta Apts, Ramkrishna	Mody St, Fort, 40000 I;	and Hoshang in Sydney;
Piloo (Piroja) Jal Dhondy	Mission Rd, Khar (W),	February 29	September 4

71 Parsiana Apri/2000

CANADA

Alberta

MARRIED

Juliana Sanchez andRaj Gohill, son of Zarrein and La! in Calgary, July 24

BritishColumbia

BORN

Agirl, Parvin, to Mehrbanoo andArdeshir Mayan in Vancouver;December 23

DIED

Banoo Mehin ( Khanizadeh) (79), mother of Houshang,Kourosh, Manouchehr and Rashid in Vancouver; January2, 2000

Sourosh Yazdani (101), father

ofParidokht Kamdar in Vancouver; January23

Quebec

BORN

A girl, Vanessa, to Leena and AurelioUseche in Montreal; November22, 1999

IRAN

DIED

Rashid Mobed Namdar Khorshidian (72), husband of Mahin and father of Farshid, Abteen and Kaveh in Tehran; February 2, 2000

PAKISTAN

Karachi

DIED

Jamshed Dadabhoy Soparivala (66); October 16, 1999 Nariman Irani(12 days); November22

Maneck Rustom Kakalia(70); December8

Minocher Eruchshaw Mehta

(68); December 26

Tehmina S.Bharucha (75), mother of Adil and Kashmira

Bhadar; January 4, 2000 Soona Jal Panday(92); January 18

Dosi B. Patel (80); January 18 MinocherSidhwa, father of RoshanKapadia and Homai Anklesaria; February 15

DIED

Dhun Patel (82), mother of Darius; January 6

EastSussex

DIED

Jal Eruch Daboo (73), Four Beeches, The Glebe, Felbridge,

E.Grinstead RH 19 2QT;

72 Parsiana Apri/2000

FIGURES AT A GLANCE*

BIRTHS	Bombay This issue 1999. 200<P	This issue	India 1999+ 2000°	World This issue 1999+	2000°
Boys	7	77	13		12		2	30
Girls	4	94	6		8		8	36
MARRIAGES
Parsi	27	260	44		17		3	15
INTERCOMMUNAL
Males married out		28			2	2		6
Females married out		20				1		6
DEATHS
CONSIGNED
Males	34	455	83	4	91	6	14	56	6
Females	35	477	70	4	71	11	10	43	7
CREMATED
Males		3
Females		2

•Running totals for 1999 (January1999-April2000issues) oRunning totals for 2000 (January2000-April 2000 issues)

Overseas deaths are listed in the consignedcolumn as Parsiana does not have a breakupof those cremated.

*These figurespertain 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.

January 1 Nottinghamshire New Jersey

DIED BORN

Essex Dhun Jal Banaji (73), 3, A girl, Pearl, to Dinaz and

BORN Lavender Close, Bridge Minoo Bengali,sister to Twins (girls),Jenai and Green; November26 Shawn; February 13

Jesmin, to Naheed and limy

Chinoy in Stock, sisters to USA Texas

Jehan; September 9, 1999 California BORN

BORN A boy, Narius, to Natash and

London A girl, laden, to Zenobia and Naushad Mehta in Houston;

BORN Kevin Husser;December 30 January 13 Agirl, Tamara, to Pervinand

Hector Shroff, sister to Nicole; MARRIED MARRIED

September 10 Kashmira Irani of Bombay, Shaireen BharuchaandIndia, daughter of late Zubin Vakil in Houston;

DIED Morvarid and Behram, and December 26, 1999

Shahriar Mehani (73),1, Behram Irani, son of Purviz

Downhills Way, N17 6AN; and late Fali; December4 DIED

December28 Jal Godiwalla, husband

DIED of Soonu and father of

Middlesex Jamshedji Patel (98), father Sherry, Boman,Arnavaz

BORN of Jiji, Nozer and Soonu and Simin in Dallas;A girl, Amy, to Diana and in San Francisco; December 13

KersiTamboly; July1 November 25 Sam Eruch Patel (74), father

Banou Hormozdyari, mother of Ronnie and Meher Maxa in

DIED ofBehram; December 28 Houston; January 1, 2000

Eric Framroze Sethna (74), Piroja Nanavati, mother of

30, BanksideClose, Louisiana Villie Bhappu;January 2

Twickenham Rd, DIED Dinshaw Khudabus Irani (69),

TW77EW; October 31 Meherbai Navroji Bhujwalla husband of Katie and father

Kollan Rustam Tavaria (77), (85), mother of Maneck, of Adel and Maynaaz;

1, Chase Court, 12, Talbot Minoo and Ketty Aspi February 22

Rd,Wembley, HAO 4XB; Wadia in New Orleam; November 28 January 9, 2000 Compiled by Roxana A. Driver

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