AUGUST 2000 As 60

August 2000

Volume 23 Number1

EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel

MANAGING EDITOR Amavaz S. Mama EXECUTIVE EDITORParinaz M. Gandhi

SENIOR EDITORS

Dina K. Mehta, Hilla P. Guzder ASSOCIATE EDITOR Roxana A. Driver

2 Readers' Forum

33 Events and Personalities

41 Zoroastrians Abroad:Jesse Palsetia

49 Surat dokhma: Landing in trouble

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Parsiana is edited and published by Jehangir R.

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52 Protecting Parsirights

72 Parsi riots: A dogged fight by Gopinath Bhaleker

77 How the magi got to be kings by Ken Vincent

84 Review the dokhmenashini system by Adi Rabadi

94 Debate but work by Ervad Zal Sethna

102 Udvada's sea-saw by Dr Vispy Meher-Homji

108 South Africa Parsis:The Southern connection by Ruby Lilaowala

113 The TISS report: The pregnant figures?by Arnavaz Mama

120 The Seth P. A. Patel Dar-e-meher's new retreat by Hilla Guzder

126 The benefaction of the Banajis

134 The secret under the rhinoceros' skin by Rudyard Kipling

136 Bhikha Behram Well: Wish thee well by Parinaz Gandhi

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162 Dr K. N. Bahadurji: Rallying for reforms by Dr Mridula Ramanna

182 Blood on the web by Dilnavaz Bhagwagar

186 Mellow memoriesby Roxanne Kavarana

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READERS' FORUM

the matter has made substantial progress.

In January 2000, a meeting was held

in Bombay under the chairmanship of Jamshed Guzder(see "A worldbody of federations,"Parsiana, February 2000). India, North America and UK/Europe were represented. Iran could not be present but conveyed,via fax, the view that "the final statement of the Sixth World Zoroastrian Congress-thatthe permanent headquarters must be estab­ lished in Tehran" -be respected.

What is required is foresight and the vision and wisdom to look severalde­ cades ahead in the greatest interest of the global Zoroastrian community. I am sure it will satisfyall regions - including Iran- if it is agreedthat the headquar­ ters of the new world body of Zoroastri­ ans -by whatever name registered - could be rotated every 10 to 15 years among all the concerned regions. A suit­ able clause may be inserted in the con­ stitution.

It is also immaterial whether the new world body of Zoroastrians functions

solely under the auspices of the Parsi

mouslya suitable resolution giving an 'all-clear'for the formation of the new world body. I appreciate the difficulties ahead. I do not minimizethem, but if this opportunity is not seized, several years may elapse before the new world body sees the light of day.

Capt HORMAZDIAR J.M.DESAI

"Is it a racial issue?"

I was happy to read your article "Isit a

racial issue?" (Zoroastrians Abroad, Par­ siana, May 2000) covering my earlier interviewwith Arnavaz S. Mama.

Though the article coversmany issues and events that we discussed, and I understand that some degree of editing is a necessity, I would like to bring to your attention a possible oversight. I wish to clarifyfor the record that I did not acquire any degree in England, as myMasters degree in Mechanical Engineering was acquired in USA at the WorcesterPolytechnic Institute in Mas­ sachusetts,as stated in your article.Perhaps there was a misunderstanding of my statement, as in the same context

Readers' views are welcome on any subject of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers' Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400001. Letters are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. Unsigned letters or those without an address will not be published.

"Help us get..!'

I was interested to readin your May

issue the update on the SeventhWorld Zoroastrian Congress: " Help us get the Congress to you."In all the press re­ leases and articles I have read on the Seventh World Zoroastrian Congress, I have not comeacross any mentionof the organization of the proposed world body of Zoroastrians.

Are the organizers afraid of some contentiousissues being raised if the

subject is discussed at the Congress?One has to find solutionsto the contro­ versial problems.Merely sweeping them under the carpet does not help.

Thematter is under discussion ever since RohintonRivetna, then presidentofFEZANA (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America),pre­ sented a proposalto the Zoroastrians attending the 1993 Parliament of World Religions in Chicago.A draft constitu­ tion was also then presented. Sincethen,

2 Parsiana August2000

Punchayet or under the jointauspices of the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO), FEZANA,the Iranian organi­ zation and the Parsi Punchayet though one appreciates the stand that the Parsi Punchayetis the oldest body with over 300 years of existence.

A golden opportunity would be lost

if the Seventh World Zoroastrian Con­ gress meetingat Houston, Texas at the end of December2000 does not discuss and pass an appropriate resolution which may greatly accelerateprogress. Before that, perhaps one more meeting may be held in Bombay under the chairmanship of Guzder and differenceswith WZO and Iran sorted out. The leadership of the WZO is reputedfor its adaptability and cooperative approach. Its constitu­tion could be suitably amplifiedto ac­ commodate dissenting pointsof views. The WZO has an excellent set-up which could be availedof. The administrative structure may be suitablyimproved upon. In my paper at the Sixth World Zoroas­ trian Congress, broad outlines of an ad­ ministrative structure of a world body had been given. This too can be substan­ tially improveduponbydiscussions. After the Bombay meeting evolvesan agreed formula, the Seventh World Zo­ roastrian Congress may passunani-

I had mentioned that my cousin,the late Marazban Patrawala, had proceeded for

further studies to Englandafter gradua­ tion in India. FIRDOSH MEHTA

Alberta, Canada

"Thssle for..!'

Referring to your elaboratecoverage of

the recent BombayParsi Punchayet (BPP) trustee election("Tussle for trust­ eeship," Parsiana, April 2000) permit me to clarify some pointsinasmuch as they pertain to me and my fortnightly magazine Parsidom and to point out some glaring omissions in them.

Mycriticisms of Zarir Bhathena in the context of his handling of affairs at the B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital (PGH) have concentrated solely on the inadequacies of the institution which is the prized asset of the community and needs to be preservedand improved which will come about only through legitimate criticism and not by hiding or covering them up. I am surprised that the writer, Arnavaz Mama, who appar­ ently is well-informed about Parsidom and its contents, selectively touched on some points and left out the othersto­ tally.

Shedid not mention, for instance, our criticism that a large Hospitalwith

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nearly300 beds does not have: a CT scan, which even small nursing homes and clinics in Bombay have at present; dialysis although liverailments are com­ mon among Parsis; such a large Hospi­ tal also does not have an operational ambulance, resulting at times in trag­ edy. The Wadiafamily of the Dadar Parsi Colony had donated a well­ equippedambulance in 1993 which is still there but is not used for patientsbut for transporting materials only. In re­ sponse to an inquiryfrom me, Bhathenahad replied that this is because of prob­ lems with maintaining the ambulance equipment and errant drivers.There is only a consultant radiologistwho re­ ports for duty just a couple of times a week merelyto sign prepared reports, necessitating the unqualified and inex­ periencedward boys to take x-raysregu­ larly. A large Hospital,PGH has no casualty ward.

At the GodrejBaug election meeting,

Bhathena in his speech referred to the rival candidate, SillooKavarana, as a

Bhathena tried to evade a direct reply about UAF (Universal Adult Franchise) by wantingto know which trust in the world isrun on UAF basis. He even mentionedthe Bill GatesFoundation and said such a large Foundationis not run on UAF lines. I replied that there is no need to look elsewhere but in our own community: the Iran League in Bombay and the anjumans of Nargol, Navsari, Bharuch and Delhi all have electionson UAF basis only.

Mamaalso did not point out that, for two monthsbefore the election,lame had been carrying out a vilification cam­ paign againstParsidom. But, in the end, I won. In the counting hall as the results were announced, I shouted,"This is the community'srespect for seniorityand a victory for Parsidom.'' Which it was, indeed.

Finally, their most damaging gaffe

camejust a few days beforethe election when lame reported that Kavarana ad­ vocated the construction of a cremato­ rium at the Doongerwadi. The trustees

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"young lady of 81."I strongly objected to the remark and bluntly asked him to look at his own lady supportersand tell

quickly issued a joint denial, callingthe

story a "figment" of the "imagination." Bhathenahimself disowned the story in

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how young they are!

At the Dadar Parsi Colony meeting,

a separate statement.

I fail to understand what purpose

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Parsiana serves by givingsuch a one­ sided and incomplete pictureto its read­ ers. I know that yoursis an establish­ ment magazine, which since its incep­ tion has given only goody-goody (sojjhi sojjhi) side of the communitybut little

-have you realizedthat it is such projec­ tion thatis partly responsible for the present downslide of the community.Please wake up and realize that there is a lot wrong with the community and its leaders.An ostrich-like attitude will not lead to an improvement in the rot. I started my magazine and am somehow keeping it going precisely to expose the wrongdoers, without favor or fear of consequences. DARAKADVA

Editor, Parsidom

HomaPetit, president of the PGH, replies. OThe PGH does not have a CT scan or dialysis unit althoughliver ailments are common among Parsis

At the outset,a factual correction namely that dialysisis not used for "liver ail­ ments" but for kidney diseases.Any decision to acquire high technology ser­ vices of various nature like CT scan, dialysis unit, MRI, angio cardiography and other sophisticated diagnostic ser­ vices must be based on rationallogic

and not on gut feelingsor emotional reasons.Several factors have to be con­ sideredlike cost of acquisition and op­ eration,recurrent cost of maintenance, cost of upgrades and replacement by newer versionsof technology, and utili­ zation of such high cost services in terms of volume of services produced.

It is a generally and universally ac­ cepted principleof planning that on an average a minimum daily volume of six to 10 paying procedures shouldbe gen­ erated from theseservices for ensuringfinancial viability in view of the huge recurrent capital and operatingcosts and also to maintain and ensure a certain qualityof service.

Another alternative would be to make contractual arrangements with other fa­ cilitiesfor provision of such sophisti­cated diagnostic services.PGH has fol­ lowed this approach and established contractual relationships with other fa­ cilitiesfor ensuring the availability of quality service at reasonable costs as the management feels that it cannot justify"own facility" especially since large volumesof donor funds are involved.It is important to note that the cost of such services for charity care patients is borne by the Hospital.

A very relevantpoint which has also been missed is that CT scan is a "diag­ nostic tool" and has no value as a "prog­ nostic tool" especially in patients with advanced neurological damage, etc where investigation with CT scan/MRIdo not impact the outcomeof such ill­ ness.

OPGH does not havean operational

ambulance

The factual position has alreadybeen clarified to the donor's representative and briefly the position is as follows:

The services were suspended after a

careful review of the working and func­ tioning of the ambulanceservices. The idea of the review was not to cut down any department or service which was essentialor basic to the runningof the Hospital, and on a reviewof the working of the ambulance service it was noticed that the same was availableonly on working days between8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdaysand 8 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturdays. The service was not avail­ able when the ambulancedriver was on leave and was being mainly used by inpatientsalready in the Hospital. The ambulance was used to take patientsto diagnostic centersof other hospitals for special treatment or investigation and

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7 Parsiana August 2000

would wait at these places and bring back the patients after the investigation and hence also during such period the ambulance would not be availableto any other patients. A review of the ser­ vice revealed that it did not even recover its operating costs and the number of patients/trips made in a month were such that a possiblesuspension of serviceswould not have animpact on patientsas it was not foundto be something basic or essential. As mentioned above, it is ob­ vious that the service was part-time and not a 24-hour, 365-days-a-year service. The Hospitalauthorities felt that the servicesof three other ambulance pro­ viders be negotiated and accordingly such services have been used for over a year and a close observation relating to the convenience of the patientswas monitored and it was pleasantly sur­ prised to find that the non-availability of the Hospital's ambulance did not result in any inconvenience to the patientsand no adverse feedbackfrom our patientswas received.

The allegation that the ambulanceis used for transporting materialand not patients is also uncalledfor. It was only on a particular occasionwhen there was an indefinite strike by transporters which

included the trucks, temposand taxi operatorsthat the ambulance was used to take deliveryof certain essentialma­ terials to beat a deadline.

OThere is only a consultantradiologist and inexperienced ward boys take x-ray This is a totaltravestyoftruth.The Hospitalhas two very senior honoraryradiologists working at the Hospitalfor the past several years.At least one of the radiologists attendsthe Hospital on all workingdays and in case his services are needed, any one of the radiologists is always availableforemergencies.X­ rays are taken by fully trained radiogra­phers (who are atleast diploma holders)as is the universal practicein all hospi­ tals all over the world.The honoraryradiologist carries out special procedures and reports on all x-ray procedures and films. This again is a universal practiceat all hospitals all over the world and not onlyat PGH. No ward boys take x-ray films. As a matter of fact, the depart­ ment hasjust one ward boy who helps in the housekeeping work of the depart­ment, moving patients,moving the mo­ bile x-ray machine and delivering re­ ports and films to the differentwards. OPGH has no casualty ward

The casualty wards are established based

uponthe need and number of the casu­ alty receivedand it has been the expe­ rience of the Hospital that the currentworkload does not justify the establish­ ment of a full-time casualtyward. How­ ever, the Hospitalhas established an emergency room for immediate atten­ tion of patientscoming outside normal working hours and one houseman is available in the emergencyroom for attending to patients who come for ad­ mission outside the normal working hours.

"Never touchany..."

I refer to Arnavaz S. Mama's interview

with Zarir Bhathena("Never touch any institution," Parsiana, April2000) where Bhathenamentions:

"...Lilaowalawentalloutagainst

Silloo Kavarana and Jamshed Guzder.I told her I don't agree. I believe if per­ sons are absent their image should not be tarnished. They should be given a chance to defend themselves. But there was no moderatorto stop her."

Letme clarify that the meeting at Lalbaugwas specially called for elec­ tion purposes. If a person stands for public office, his or her plus and minus points, achievements and failures, track

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9 Parsiana August 2000

record, etc come under publicscrutiny and are bound to be broughtup by vari­ ous speakersat all meetings. Democ­ racy implies freedomof speech as long as the facts are correct. Otherwisewhat is the purpose of holding an election meeting? What I have said happens in all the democratic countriesof the world, including India and in all kinds of elec­ tions, from parliamentary to gram pan­ chayet elections.

As far as my remarks about Kavarana and Guzder are concerned, I gave three

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concrete examples of how the two older

trustees are manipulated becauseof their advanced age.

I had the guts to publicly say the truth.lfwe always keep on sweepingthe dirt under the carpet,then why this farce of election meetings?

In spite of Bhathena's apparentdis­ agreement with me on this particular point, I still think he was the most suit­ able candidate. RUBY LILAOWALA

"The legal innings ..."

I read with interest Arnavaz Mama's

pieceon Rustam Gagrat ("The legal innings of the century," Parsiana, April 2000). In The Statesman of April 26, 2000, I had mentioned under "Salute to a legend":

"This week, the partnersof Gagrat and Company, the highly reputedfirm of solicitors, attorneysand notaries in Bombay, celebratedthe lOOth birthdayof their illustrioes founder, Rustam ArdeshirGagrat...

Many are the sto­ ries told about him; the one I know best is the wayhe discov­ ered Nani Palkhi­ vala' s genius. When Nani pub­ lished the first edi­

tion of his semi-Gagrat: genius

nal work- The discovered Lawand Practice

of Income Tax he inscribed a copy to Rustam Gagrat recalling that he was the first attorney to brief him. The story goes like this. Nani was a junior in the chambers of the then unquestioned leader of the Bombay Bar, Sir Jamshedji Kanga. RustamGagrat had sent Sir Jamshedjia case for opinion and it was a very complicated matterinvolving difficult questionsof income tax and company law. The great man had given it toNani to draft the opinion for him. In

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an in-house discussionprior to the visit of the solicitors and clients, Sir Jamshedji had complimented Nani on the quality of his work saying it was very well done, and that he agreed with everything except two paragraphs, which after discussion with Nani, he personally changed.

"In due course, the conferencewith

clientsand Rustam Gagrat took place in the great man's chambers with Nani sitting alone at a distance,busy with something else. After what is reportedto have been a long conference, Sir Jamshedji summonedNani in his boom­ ing voice to the table.As Nani stood gaping, Sir Jamshedji told the startledgroup that the opinion which they thought was very well done andwhich had stood the test of the conference and which they said explained complicated matters with great luciditywas the work of 'this young man.' The part they foundconfusing and whichwas amended againduring the conference 'was changed by me.'

"Here you have greatnessin action. Sir Jamshedji's portraitis the first thing you see as you enter Nani Palkhivala's residence." CUSHROW IRANI

Editor-in-Chief, The Statesman, Calcutta

"A burning need to..!'

Once again my friend B. T. Dastur has

raisedthe bogey of merger of agiaries which are not frequented by too many devotees ("Aburning need to merge," Readers'Forum, Parsiana, April2000). He had raised this suggestion way back in 1998 to which I had given a rejoinder. This time he cites lack of scriptural reference against mergingof agiaries. He has also given the exampleof how the charity commissioner permitted a change in the objects clause ofa Hindu trust whose objectivewas to feed 1,00,000laddus to the brahmins.

One can't help but wonderas to the motive behind suggesting such a pre­ posterous scheme of merging conse­ crated holy fires, worthy of worship.Of course, therewill be no reference in any of our scriptures to such an unviable and untenable idea. The scriptures would not have expected this sad state of intel­ lectual penury to which our so-calledenlightened community has been re­ duced. Ours must be perhaps the only communitywhere its own members are attempting to extinguish the flame of our religioneither by creatingcontro­ versy, e.g. lack of vulturesat Doonger­ wadi or under the garb of alleged pro-

gressiveness/permissiveness. Witness every other sister communitywhere people are still managingto secure huge funds to build temples,mosques, chur­ ches, etc.

I'dlike to ask Dastur if he is contem­ plating we closedown the Doongerwadi because less vultures/birds of prey are frequenting it? Will we? No! We are trying to increasethe number of birds and create conditions whereby they can survive and thrive leadingto strength­ ening of the dokhmenashini system of disposal of the dead.

Whycan't we do the same with our agiaries i.e. create conditionswhereby more and more devoteesare inclined to visit our agiaries? Why can't some in­ dustrial house or family adopt a couple of agiariesand manage their upkeep and maintenance?

Assuming that Dastur' s suggestion of merging the holy fires of our agiaries is implemented, what will becomeof the agiary building? Will it be put to alter­ nate (read commercial) use?

KAYOMARZPATEL

"Decades of distinctive..." Irefer to the article "Decades of distinc­ tive dentistry" by Dr DinshawF. Boga

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(Parsiana, March 2000)giving inter­ esting details of Parsi dentistsin India.

I am surprised thatBoga has not mentioned my father, Dr Dinshaw ManeckjiSurveyor, who was one of the

most eminentand respected dentalsur­ geons in Bombayfrom 1912 till the day he expiredin 1955.

After becoming a doctor,LM and S (Licentiate in Medicineand Surgery) from the Grant MedicalCollege in Bombay in 1909, winning a medal in anatomy, as there were no dental col­ leges in India at the time, he went to London and qualified as a dental sur­ geon there. He started his dental practice in Bombay in I912 and was very well known and reputedin the medical pro­ fession.

My father believed his profession to be a noble one, and he was particularly generous and kind to poor patients whom he often treated free.

About 80 years ago, a doctor friend

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and my father successfully refixed the tooth again,which was reportedby the friend to one of the British medical jour­ nals which recorded it as the first replan­ tationof a detachedtoothbya dental

Dr Dinshaw (right)and Ratanbai Surveyor

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Dr DinshawBoga replies

My apologies for this lapse,but in the literature referredto by me, I failed to find his name anywhere. Moreover, I had showed my draft to a couple of dentists senior to me, and they too did not correct me. Itis not due to any malice or bias that I omitted his name.

Cleaning of roads beforethe fire was carried to the Jokhi Agiary

Photo: Kersi M. Pooniwala

"The consecrated convoy" Thecongregation of nearly5,000 Parsis at the time of the consecration of the atash adarian at Godrej Baug was a testimony to the deepand powerful faith that Parsis of todayhave, which, albeit, is displayed on rare occasionssuch as

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18 Parsiana August 2000

this. Much has been writtenon this event, both in the Parsiand secular Press as well as the electronic media ("The consecrated convoy," Parsiana, March 2000). Now, after the euphoria has ended and life goes on as normal in any Parsibaug, it is time to ask some questions on the whole incident.

Earlier we had raised the issue of non-Zoroastrian figures "guarding" the adarian precincts. This time we wish to dwellon the spiritual aspects of the transfer of the holy fire from Navsarito Bombay and the consecration of the ShapoorjiFakirji Jokhi Agiary.Before we commence,we would like to clarify that the object of this letter is not to defame or blame any persons,nor is it to shatter the faith of the thousandsof Parsis who worshipped and do worship the adariansaheb. Our objectiveis to ensure that the dignityand sanctity of the holy fire is in no way compromised.

One of the first thingsthat strike a casual visitorto the adarian is its prox­ imity to the dokhmas at Doongerwadi. Accordingto the Vendidad, any fire (we are not talkingabout a consecrated adarian fire) should be kept at a certain distance from any pollution. Accordingto the Rivayats, even the sagdi kept at the Doongerwadi should be at a distanceof 300 paces from the dokhma. Given these instructions, is it correct to have a consecratedatash adarian so near to the dokhmas?

Oursecond observation relates to the absence of a naturalwell in the Agiary precincts. While thereis a well in the Agiary itself,is it a natural well? Our inquiriesreveal that despiteseveral at­ tempts, water was not struck within the area. The current "well" is actually a receptacle fed through pipes from an­ other well situated some distance away at Ambawadi. It is thus merely a subter­ fuge. A free flowing and natural well is an essentialprerequisite for performing both the majorliturgical ceremonies like the yasna and the vendidad, as well for the normal baj. Water that is pumped through pipes loses its essential element

-thefraado (electro-magneticforces) mentioned in the Ava Nyaish. Such wa­ ter is of no use in major liturgical cer­ emonies. In effect,the yasnas and vendidads performed during the conse­ cration process of the buildingare void.

Wenow come to the actual shifting of the holy fire from its seat at Navsari to Bombay. Severalyears ago, when an­ other fire was sought to be broughtfor

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The TapovanTrust at Bordi will be organizing scheduledgroup visits to

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the GodrejBaug Agiary, preparations had been madeto bring the same on foot from Bharuch after observing the correct tarikats of pavi. Indeedone of us was a volunteer on that trip which never materialized. It is therefore surprising that instead of doing so, the sacred fire was transported using a Sumo. This is a contravention of the acceptedlaws and precepts of the religion. By driving the fire in a car without the provision of pavi, the fire has come into common contact (ham-paivand) and has lost its exalted stature.

Coming to the finaljourney from Vachaghandhy Agiary to Godrej Baug,thereare severalprocedural errorsthat we would like to point out. Firstly,we wonder as to the necessity of undertaking this final part on foot, when the entirejourney was done by car. As per religiousprecepts, the movementof the fire must be donein total darkness, hence the night journey.However. it is surprising to note that the organizers undertook this journey not only in the presenceof street lamps (which may have been unavoidable) but also just two days before the brightest moon in 133 years. Moreover,the entire exercise was done under the gaze of severalcameras. An effort was made to draw pavis to segregate the fire. To our surprise this act, which needs to be done by qualified priests, was performedby lay volunteers from a Parsu colony. The effect of the whole exercisewas reduced by washingthe roads before the fire was moved.Water instinctively breaks all pavis and hence further nullifiedthese efforts. If our intentionwas

Sat/Sun 21/22

Jan 2001

25/26

Feb 2001

16/17

Mar 2001

to have a grand procession, with full mediacoverage, we certainlysucceeded. But if we wantedto correctly enthronean adarian saheb,with full religioushonors, the effort was an abjectfailure.Wehavealso,unknowingly.setawrong

Sat/Sun 20/21 24/25 10/11

Each visit will be confined to a group of 50 persons. On day one, members shouldreach Gholvad by either AhmedabadPassenger departing from Sandra Terminus at 13.00 hrs or the Shuttle train departing from Virar at

17.10 hrs. Stay will be at Petit Sanatorium, Bordi.

Non-veg/veg. Parsi food will be served.

On day two, very early in the morning, memberswill be taken by a local hired vehicle to the foot

of Bahrot hill from where the trek will commence. Trainedguides will accompanythe group. Return to the base camp at Bordi will be around lunch time. After lunch and some rest, the memberscould return by the Valsad-Virar Shuttle departing from Gholvad at 18.00 hrs.

All inclusive cost covering stay, meals and local transportation will be Rs 350 per head

Families/groups which would like to make independent trips on the dates of their convenience can do so separately. Their stay will then be arranged at Tapovan Retreat,Bordi. Jashan ceremonyat the Caves could also be arranged. Such visits may furtherbe tied up with an onward trip to Sanjan/Udwada and/or Navsari. Details

will be worked out upon request.

All bookings to be made at

The Tapovan Vihar Trust office at

Kiritco, 2nd Fl, PNB House,P. M. Road, Fort, Mumbai 400001.

Tel: 2665322/3674998. E-mail: nhm@vsnl.com

precedent for the future.

We understand that the times welive in are not conducive

to the completeobservance of all our religioustarikats. We also understand that several experts in their respective fields have guidedthis entire operation. We give full credit to the organizersfor managing the logistics of the whole exercise in such a flawlessfashion. But our concern is that in all this, the main issue has been sidelined. Instead of giving the first priority to maintaining the dignity and power of a righteously consecratedadarian saheb- which is paramount and sacro­ sanct- minds have been divertedto less importantconsider­ ations.

We have survivedthis long as a communityonly by the precise and unwavering followingof our scriptures and long­ standing religious customs and traditionswhich are venerated in the Avesta as dareghayao upayanayao. In our opinion,the entire exercise of the shiftingof the sacred fire and the consecration of the new adarian at Godrej Baug has not been in consonance with these traditions and hence we have deemed it our duty to bring the same to the notice of the community.

Ervad MARZBAN HATHIRAM, NAUZER K. BHARUCHA, PERCY R. BALSARA

"Mehr vs Khatami"

I had read the article "Mehr vs Khatami" in Farsi but reading

it in Parsiana (Zoroastrians Abroad, March 2000) compels me to make a few observations.

When Iranian mullahs make declarations of universal friendshipand brotherhood, it is advisableto take it with a pinch of salt.

President Khatami' s assertion that "some of my best friends are Zoroastrians and still are"is not correct. Nodding acquain­ tances, perhaps,but best friends, no. Friends,by very defini-

20 Parsiana August 2000

May this

New Year of yours bring all the Happiness

& Prosperity to you.

•:• We make Parsee Gara withhand-work as well as with machine­ work as per orders.

•:• We undertakealteration work of old sarees.

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22 Parsiana August2000

tion, spend at least some of their time together in common pursuits, social activities, important dates in the calen­ dar. President Khatami could not eat in a Muslim restaurant with his Zoroas­ trian friend as his friend would not be served; could not go swimming together as his Zoroastrian friend would be deemed to have pollutedthe water; could not offer his friend any kind of position in government as the most im­ portant item in his curriculum vitae is missing -he is not a Muslim.

He makes capitalof His Holiness Ali who accepted Zoroasteras a prophet and the Avesta as a holy book. He statesthat Muslims and Zoroastrians have co­ habitedpeacefully throughout. History bears testimony to the tragedy that en­ sued when the Arabs invadedIran: many sons of the soil Look their own lives and yet many more fled to all points of the compass, to destinations unknown.And the few that stayed behind- a minority race in their own land -were allowed to do so on conditionthey paidjazia (a minority tax). FAROKH FALAHATI

London, UK

"Sanctity of dokhmas"

For sometimenowtherehasbeena

debate going on in some quarters of the

community on the question of whether the system of dokhmenashini has out­ lived its utilityand if it needs to be changed.

Jam-e-Jamshed recently conducted a poll within its readership posing the question"In view of the shortage of birds at Doongerwadi, do you think an alternatesystem for disposalof dead should be introduced?"

The segment of Jam-e-Jamshed' s readership that responded to the poll have voted 63percent in favorof change, 36 percent not in favor of change,and one percent undecided.

Bethat as it may, as one who has always believed in and followedthe principles of transparency in public ac­ tivities, and also being involved in all facets of the various operations at Doon­ gerwadi and its attendant issues,I wouid like to make my views known in the matter. I am aware that some in the community have classified me as a 're­ formist'whilst others as an 'orthodox.' To all such individuals I would like to make it clear that I am neithera 'reform­ ist,' nor an 'orthodox.' I rather perceivemyself to be one who is pragmatic.

Having made this categorical com-

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ment I would also like to mentionthat as a community it is not only essential but also obligatory to preserveand pro­ tect our traditions, customs, heritage, doctrines,rites and rituals.

Thesystem of dokhmenashini has been followedin Bombay for well over 300 years now. A gentleman named Mody Heerjeebhoy Vachaghandhee, on a part of his estate at Malabar Hill in the year 1669, constructed the first dokhma in Bombay. This is a historically re­ corded fact.

The dokhma came into existence even

before the Bombay ParsiPunchayet (BPP) was formed. The forerunner of

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the present day BPP was established sometime between 1672 and 1675. If one were to perusethe general trust deed (of 1884) of the immovable property of the Punchayet, it becomes abundantly clear that the forerunner of the present day BPP was established primarily to

manage "the Towersof Silence or build­ ing for the exposureof the dead bodies of Parsis."

Dueto reasons beyondthe scope and control of the BPP, such as urbanization of the area in the vicinity of Doonger­ wadi, natural depletion in the numberof scavenger birds, and other such relevant

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24 Parsiana August 2000

factors, the system of dokhmenashini began to feel the strain necessitating corrective action to be undertaken by the BPP. After a review of the relevantfactors, my colleagues and I on the board ofBPP, decided just over two years ago that the systemof dokhmenashini needed to be strengthened.

To the creditof the BPPboard it must berecorded that all seven trusteesare unanimous in their view that the system of dokhmenashini needs to be strength­ ened and not changed. We have gone about the matter in an organizedmanner by involving various professionals in different areasof expertise. Membersof the clergy as well as religiousscholars have also been consultedand are in­ volved in these efforts.

All the fourprojects are pioneering in

nature,but are being tried out with the main view of strengthening the system of dokhmenashini, as also with the in­ tent to preserve and continue with our time tested and honored traditions and customs.

,"!-· OVER::l' .

to strengthen the systemis now under way.

If we ever have to even considerchange, let it be first realized that we shall be striking at the very foundations on which the edifice of our community has been built. For after all, traditions and customs are an intrinsicpart of the very soul of a community. In matters concerning preservation and continuity of traditions and customs,one should

not and cannotconsider change only for the sake of change.

DINSHAWK. TAMBOLY

On the heels of recentefforts by the BPP to "strengthen the existing veneratedand time testedsystem of dokhme­nashini" by wooing the depleted,if not almost extinct, vulturepopulation at Doongerwadiat Bombay, Bangalore, Poona and other places,by introduction of unviable,uneconomical and imprac­ ticable method of "captive breeding of the vultures" ("Sanctity of dokhmas," Readers'Forum, Parsiana, February 2000), come some more equally 1m­ practicalsuggestions.

The methods suggested are:

•Harnessing of solar energy to facilitate

rapid dehydration.

•Air qualitycontrol by generating and pumping pure ozone inside the Towers.

•Environmentalquality control by spray­

ing a herbalcomposition which creates aspecific strain of microbes that ensures rapid decomposition of the corpsesin the Towers.

Let us examineeach of the above

proposals in light of the existingscien­ tific knowledge.

•If harnessing of solar energy to facili­ tate rapid degeneration of corpses is to be introduced, then the solar rays must be focusedon the body /bodies continu­ ously for few hours. This effect can be achieved by the use of parabolic mirrors which are programed to rotate automati­ cally with the movementofthesun (actuallythe earth) to focus high inten­ sitysolar energy on the body/bodies. Such devices are costly to install and difficultto maintain andoperate and will be of no use at all in Bombay during the heavy monsoon rains from June to Septemberwhen sunlight isjust not suf­ ficientfor this purpose.The other method of using the sunlight will be to cover the entire top of the dokhmas by plate glass as is done in solar heatersbut this will not generatesufficient heat to burn the bodies and will only collect hot gases

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28 Parsiana August 2000

within the dokhmas which will harm the pallbearers when the door is opened to take in the corpse.

•Pure ozone (03) is a highly toxicgas,

light blue in color and has short chemi­ cal life. It is the gas that protects us from the lethal ultra violet rays 10 to 35 km above the earth.

Only in very small and controlled quantitieslike 10parts per million, ozone isutilized for water purification and as a bleaching agent when producedin an electric dischargemachine called an ozonizer. It can best be used in the dokhmas to reduce the foul smell ema­ nating from decomposing bodies and that too in very diluted quantities. Use of pure ozone will endanger the lives of the entire Malabar Hill population.

•Scientifically and in the presentstate of knowledge,it is impossible that an in­ animate thing like a herbalpreparation can ever create an animate specificstrain of microbe. Any strain of microbe can undergo a process of mutation which if developed may cause morerapid de­ composition of the corpses but mother nature is already achievingthis through anaerobicbacteria, 10feet underground after burial without the ghastlysight and offensive smell that pervades in the

dokhmas.

The sum total of all that is stated

aboveis that dokhmenashini is no longer possible under the existing circum­ stances of absence of vultures, proxim­ ity of human habitation, awareness for clean environment, stringentmeasures against all types of pollution, etc. In this context are we stillgoing to insistand somehow "strengthen the existing ven­ erated and time tested system of dokmenashini ?"

As stated by me in my earlierletters in Parsiana, burial at Doongerwadi of more than 1,000 bodiesper year is ex­ pensive.The only logical solution is to erect a modern electric crematorium at Doongerwadi. The cry from some an­ tagonists of crematoria on the grounds of pollution by fly ash is untenablewith modern crematoriaas, if that was so, this method of disposalof the dead would not be so increasingly and widely used by nations more concerned about pollu­ tion control than our own.

Religious rituals like human/animal

sacrifice, Sati, etc have been repealed by law. We must not rely on the protection under the Constitution for the practiceof religious ritualsfor the minoritycom­ munities if the presentconditionsare

detrimental in the greater interest of the entire population. Can we not as an educated and enlightened community see the writing on the wall or are we awaitingthe ignominy of facing a public interestlitigation which could force us to move our dokhmasfar away from proximity of human habitation, to an isolated hill, at considerable expense and inconvenience, just to perpetuate our very ancient but completely un­ workable system of disposalof the dead in the presentcircumstances.

We hope that the trusteesof the BPP will bemore pragmatic and will not

succumb to the unrealistic pressures and advice from bigotedorthodoxy.

Dr M. D. DISAWALLA

Bangalore

One needs to bear in mind that times have changed and old principlesand ideology also change with the passage of time, to be replaced by new ones. It is a universally acceptedfact that vultures are capable of devouring flesh in a matter of minutes, but that is the case in the wild forests of Africa and India, not in cities like Bombay where the vulturepopu­ lation has reduced drastically almost to

continued on page 57

FARR01{H l{HAMBATA

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Wishing All Our Dear Clients a Very HappyJamshedi Navroze

Ness Baug, Annexe 2, 2nd Floor, Flat #3, Nana Chowk, Mumbai 400007 Tel: (Off/Res)3870856/3872350 • Centralkitchen: 2011037/2073840

30 ParsianaAugust 2000

Events and Personalities

Baroda's new board

"On the whole the voting was very brisk,

and unexpectedly there was a very huge turnout (76 percent cast their vote), by far the highest" since the first general electionswere held by the Shri Parsi Panchayat of Vadodara in 1982, notes the editorial in the

March issue of Zend, the quarterly news­ letter of the Pan­ chayat. Of the lOcan­

he carried the burden of the office of presidentwith dignity and earned the respect of all Panchayat members in his role as moderator. For him it was an arduous task to pleaseeach and every­ one in the communityin Baroda ...(ac­companied by) his ever-smiling and de­

voted wife Gul."

Taking over as the new presidentis Ja! Patel who had for­ merly served the

nouncing thatone Ramesh SinghThakur and Triveni Bai Anirudh Singh Thakur have entered into an agreement of sale of the Prayer Hall and Dharamshala complex valued at Rs 25 crore with Uday Prakash Mishra and I. M. Mishra who in turn entered into another agree­ ment with ShivCharan Dixit, added the news report.

Thesale agreements are fraudulent and bogus, contended the managingcommittee members- president D. C.

didates aspiringto be trustees, the highest

votes werepolled by Boman Cama, fol­ lowed by Aspi Vajifdar, Jal Patel,

..

J. Patel (left) and S. Patel:

respected as presidents

board as treasurer. Kavina will be the next honorary trea­ surer and Cama will take over as honor­ ary secretary from

Bajan, vice presidentS. R. Daruwalla, honorary secretary K. N. Batliwalla,joint secretaryK. N. P. J. Driver, treasurerK.

K. Sutaria and membersat large V. B. Patel and J. S. Mehta- in their meeting with municipal commissioner Ramesh

Phiroze Patel,AviSabawala,Kersy

Kavina and Dara Hakim who were electedto the board. The unsuccessful contestants were KhushrooMarawala, Persang Bavaadam and Neville Wadia. The two new members on the boardfor the next five-year term are PhirozePatel and Sabawala who replacedretiring president Shavaksha Patel and Rusi Kasad who did not seek reelection.

"If the polling (on March 19, 2000) was brisk, the campaigning from door­ to-door and by letter, as well as canvass­ ing on the telephone was even more hectic ..." states Pesi Muncherji in his editorial.He would have preferred the withdrawalof threecandidates rather

.than "this kind of competition which in no way can be termed healthy in a small community like ours as it ultimately leads to mudslinging."

Retiring president ShavakshaPatel who had served the Panchayat in differ­ ent capacities for a record43 years was commended for doing "his utmost for the smoothworking of the Panchayat whose funds multiplieddue to his per­ sonal untiringefforts ... Busy as he was,

33 Parsiana August 2000

Kavina. Amongthe urgent matterswhich

the new board will be expected to handle, according to Muncherji, are the amend­ ment of the constitution, expediting the pending court cases, protecting the ne­ glected properties of the Panchayat, in­ volving the youth by issuing communi­ cation in both Gujaratiand English, be­ ing promptin correspondence ... Trust­ ees should expect both criticismand credit if they want cooperation, reminded Muncherji.

Jabalpur land locked

For 87 years this property has been in

the"peaceful, continuous and uninter­ rupted possession" of The Parsi Anju­ man, Jabalpur. For many decadesthey have been performing religiousceremo­ nies and social functionsat their Prayer Hall and Dharamshala which stand on the plot, admeasuring 86,159 sq ft, in Napier Town, one of the busiest areas in the city, noted a report in The Hitvadaof April 3, 2000.

Themanaging committee of the Parsi Anjuman was therefore shocked to read a public noticea few days earlier an-

Thete and collectorRaj Kishore Swai.

"While the authorities havehelped us without any hesitation, they have urged us to replace the barbed wire fencing of our boundarywith a wall... The estimatefor the construction of the wall is roughly Rs 2.5 lakhs," men­ tioned Bajan in a letter to Parsiana. Since the Anjumanonly has funds to bear one-thirdof the costs, they have appealed for donations whichmay be sent to the Anjuman at Nerbudda Club Bungalow, Jabalpur482001, Madhya Pradesh, Tel 320172.

The Parsicommunity was given this land in Jabalpur on lease for a period of 30 years in 19I3. In I9 I6 they built the Prayer Hall and Dharamshala. The well on the premiseswas built in 1918 in memory of Dhunjishaw Cavasji Amroliwalla, as testifiedby a plaque there. On the expiryof the lease in 1943, it was renewed for a period of 50 years, and then in 1995 thelease was extended yet again, the historical background is related in Hitvada.

"Obviously, this property belongsto the Parsi minoritycommunitywhich

is...a registered public trust under the Madhya PradeshPublic Trusts Act," states the news report referring to the managing committee's plea "that in case these agreements are allowed to go through it will be a great loss to the community which has alwaysbeen very peaceful (and has) not made any de­ mands on the country.Our sentiments will be hurt and we will lose faith in the whole system..."

Presently Behroze K. Dossabhoy has been nominated member to the minori­

ties cell in Jabalpurdistrict, announced Bajan.

Where workis worship While inaugurating the ProfR. D. Choksi Memorial Workshop chief guest R. M. Lala, directoroftheSirDorabTata Trust, commended the management of the PatuckTechnical High Schooland Junior College for offeringimproved facilities to the studentfraternity. This two-storeyed mechanical workshop re­ places the old and dilapidated barrack type structure which wouldgetinun­ dated with water during monsoon time, mentions a press release issued by Prof

R. K. Mody,trustee-director of the Patuck Polytechnic Trust.

Lala was particularly appreciative of the multi-faceted role of the institution in meetingthe need-based requirements of industryand helping organizeshort­ termcourses to rehabilitate the riot-af­ fected under the Mohalla Committee Project financedby the Tata Trust. Im­ pressed with the high morale and self­ discipline of the student body, when addressing the gathering on January 22, 2000 he exhorted the present generation to upholdthe lofty ideals,patriotism and philanthropy of their founderRustomba Patuck,and founder trusteeRustum Choksion whose shouldersfell the mantle of carrying forwardPatuck's work.

Patuck couldbe regarded as the fa­

ther of vocational education in India, Dinshah Malegamvala's tribute to the founders paid on the occasion of the institute's golden jubilee was recalled on the occasion. Hailing from a Parsi family in Bombay, Patuckwho had lived in affluencefor 33 yearsin Manchester, returned to India to lead the life of an ascetic, recalled Malegamvala. Con­ vinced that only technical skills and vocational trainingcould help the poor earn a living wage with self-respect he firstcollected a handful of young men

34 Parsiana August 2000

and taught them weaving whilst living withthem in a hut in Kandivli. This experiment was

supposed to he the precursorof the Patuek TechnicalHigh School which he founded creatinga trust with a corpusof eightlakh rupees.

Both PatuckandChoksi,who had

servedthe School for over two decades as chairman, wereGandhiansweddedto khadi and lived simply without any osten­ tation, recalled Malegamvala. When Choksijoined Tatasin 1942as a part-time director of the DorabTata Trust, he cycled every day from Wilson College (wherehe was the legendaryprofessor of English, Latin and mathematics) to Bombay House where he would carry his own bicycle down to the basement.Both believed in the dignityof labor, the integrity of work. "Work is worship (the mottoofthe School)" was well exemplified in their lives. As managing trustee of the Dorab TataTrust, Choksi's greatest contribution to the companyand to Tatas was the establishmentof The Tata Institute of Social Sciences,The TataMemorial Hos­ pital and the Tata Institute of Fundamen­ tal Research,stated Malegamvala. For more than 40 yearshe also steered the destiny of the IndianInstitute of Science,

Top: At the inauguration of the

Choksi Memorial Workshop (standing from left)Goiporia, A. Patuck, Alpaiwala, Mody, Lala, Colah and Kurup Below: Choksi

Bangalore, added Malegamvala. It was mainly because ofChoksi's involvement that a combined grant of Rs 50,000 was made in 1983from the Tata truststowards developing the Patuckinstitute to the level of a juniortechnical college, wrote Malegamvala.

Dr R. B. M. Colah,chairman of the organizing board, expressed his grati­ tude to Sir Dorab Tata Trust for donat­ ing Rs 20 lakhs towards the Rs 37-lakh cost of new construction tJlus tJrovision of additional equipment, accessories and services. Theother Zoroastrian mem­ bers on the organizing board in addition

to Colah and Mody are K. R. Alpaiwala,

Adil J. Patuck,J. J. Goiporia. The insti­ tution locatedat Vakola Bridge,Santa Cruz (East) is in its 68th year catering to nearly 1,850 students, and as mentioned by Mody, though managedby a minor­ ity community trust itsdoors are open to

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De H.:VL Mchcr-Homji

Meher-Homji with commendation certificate

service to the institution earned her the designation of professor emeritus.

The governor ofMaharashtra' s nomi­ nee on the Senate of the University of Poona, Master has been a consistent researcher with over 150 professional papers published in India and abroad. In 1999 the American Psychiatric Asso­ ciation- the largestbody of mental health professionals in the world,as notesher husband Sorab in a letter to Parsiana -nominated her an interna­ tional fellowof the Association. Former president of the IndianPsychiatric Soci­ ety, theIndian Association for Child and Adolescent MentalHealth and thePoona

all. The inter-disciplinary staffbody con­ sists of 100 membersof whom 86 are teachers of science, vocational and in­ dustrial trainingsubjects working under the guidance of principal K. G. K.Kurup. Prominent builderS. K. Gala, patron-in­ chief of the Trust has also been helpful in advancingthe cause of this founda­ tion. Being recognized as a role model in the branches of engineering, com­ merce and paramedical courses,the in­ stitute is the recipientof many state and all-India awardsfor excellence in value education, teachertraining, curriculum development and interaction with in­ dustry. It also offers a varietyof voca­ tional courseswith full placement facili­ ties, reportedMody, and pridesitself on its linkageswith collaborating agencies like the Maharashtra chapterof the American ConcreteInstitute and the Yeshwantrao ChavanMemorial Open University.

President's praise

"The members of the White House Com­

munications Agency wish to express our sincere appreciation for the out­ standing mannerin which you provided support to the Presidentof the United States (Bill Clinton)during his visit to Bombay, March 24-25, 2000." This cer­ tificate of appreciation, a rare distinc­ tion, was conferred on Dr Behram Minocher Meher-Homji who is work­ ing with the Breach Candy Hospitaland is medical examinerfor the United Na­ tions and other allied bodies.

"Your unique abilities, coupledwith

your superb attitude and professional­ ism, enabledour Agency to provide critical communications for the Presi­ dent and the White House staff," contin-

Singh (left) presenting award to Master as Apang Sanjoylooks on

36 Pe1rsiana August 2000

ues the certificate. Meher-Homji is also attached to other consulatesand several leading Indiancompanies, notes a press release.

Master honored

Dr Roshen Master,eminent Poona based

psychiatrist and professor emeritus in psy­ chology at the B. J. MedicalCollege (BJMC) was presentedthe India Interna­ tional Friendship Society (IIFS) Bharat Gaurav Award and certificate of excel­ lence by Dr BhishmaNarain Singh, former governor of Tamil Nadu, for outstanding services, achievements and contributions. The occasionwas the Society's seminar on "Economic Growth and NationalInte­ gration" at New Delhi on May 11, 2000, informs a press release.

Among the first batch to graduate

from BJMC with psychiatry in 1952- a new speciality in those days, as notes her bio data-shejoined the BJMC and Sassoon General Hospital as an assis­ tant honorary in 1956, retiringas profes­ sor of psychiatry in 1981. In the course of theseyears the department grew from an outpatient clinic twice a week to a 30- bed unit with a full teachingstaff and library, recognized for diploma and doc­ torate (MD) in psychiatry. Her devoted

Psychiatrists' Association, Master had been a founder fellow of the latter two.

Founding childguidance clinics all

over Maharashtra, she was the mental health consultant of the State'sDirec­ torateof Social Welfarefrom 1962 to 1981, rehabilitating juveniles and women in conflict with the law, as well as trainingpersonnel of the Directorate.

Appalled at the neglectof the men­

tally retarded, Master pioneered the Kamay aniMovement in Poonawith the first such school and sheltered work­ shop outside Bombay. In the course of 45 years it has blossomed into a teach­ ers' trainingcollege with university rec­ ognition, with 29 schoolsall over Maharashtra, notes her bio data.

Master has been salutedby her peers

in the Indian Psychiatric Societywith four awards to date, includingthe pres­ tigious D. L. N. Murthy Rao Oration Award for academic achievements and leadership. Society at large has recog­ nized Master'ssocial work, including such bodies as the National Association for Equal Opportunities to the Handi­ capped, the Lions Club of Pune and the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anju­ mans of India.

With the IIFS award, this descendant

of Avestan scholarsCa­ wasjiand Sorabji Kanga and of the legallegend Justice Jam shedj i Kanga, joins the ranks of Mother Teresa, aformervice president of India, su­ preme court judges, cel­ ebrated industrialists and sportsmen, as notes So­ rab. Arnavaz S. Mama

Onthe right track

For his "outstanding

work" during the year 1999-2000,Ronny Jehangir Dick, president of the Jhansi Anjuman, was conferred the general manager'smedal, a certificate of appre­ ciation and a cash

giftofRs 750, this being the highest award to be be­ stowed on a mail driver. Dick is the last of the Zoroas­ trian mail drivers in theCentral

Railway who will Dick: distinction be retiring from for driver service after 40

years in April 2001, he writes.

The third generation from his fam­ ilyto join the Railways, the Dicks have completed over 100 years in the Railways, according to a press re­ lease. During the course of his career Dick has been trained to drive steam, diesel and electrolocomotives, notes his curriculum vitae.He has worked as the main driver for prestigious rail journeys like the G. M. Special, Chairman Railway Board Special, and earned commendation letters and rewardsfor safe driving and

fuel economy.

The professor's professor His contribution to management in the year1999 earned Dr Sorab Sadri the BestTeacherofManagementAward from the Bombay Management Asso­ ciation. The awards ceremony, presided over by BimalJalan of the ReserveBank oflndia, was held at the Crystal Room of the Taj Mahal Hotel on May 26, 2000, notes a press release.

With 10years of experience in indus­ try and 21 years in academics, Sadri is considered a leading authority on busi­ ness ethicswho is variously described as "the professor's professor," "someonewho writes eloquently about the com­ mon man in so eruditea manner that the common man cannotcomprehend," and "a rationalist social scientistin a man­ agement school." He is presentlypro­ fessor of human resourcesmanagement and business ethicsas well as head of the research wing at theN. L. DalmiaInsti­ tute of Management Studies and Re­ search. He is also visiting professorof business ethics at the NarseeMonjee Institute ofManagement Studiesand the Mumbai EducationTrust, mentions the

press release. Earlierhe had taught at the

S. P. Jain Institute of Management, NITIE (National Institutefor Training in Industrial Engineering), XLRI (Xavier

Labour Relations Institute) and the In­ dian Instituteof Management (liM) at Calicut and Indore.

Sadri has to his credit more than 80 papers in internationally refereedjour­ nals and five books. Most of his written work lies in the areas of political economy of development, social sci­ ence methodology, industrial relations and business ethics.

Among the titles he

has authored are Business Ethics: Concepts and Cases and he is presently working on Value Based HRMInterven­

tions: a Business Sadri: erudite Policy Perspective, and eloquent plus a collection of

papers titled Leading Issues in Organi­

zational Change (co-edited with Dinyar Pestonjee of liM,Ahmedabad). He is

working towardssetting up a Centre of

continued on page 200

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38 Parsiana August2000

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ZOROASTRIANSABROAD

Thedynamics of change

Historian Jesse Palsetiadiscusses how social and politicalchange in India affected the Parsis

Arnavaz S. Mama

"Nothing of what is happening today is version,they were employing the prac­ new to those who knowParsi history," tice of the rigidcaste system of Hindusays Jesse Palsetia, author of a forth- society amidst which they found them­ comingbooktitledParsisoflndia: Pres- selves."It was a historical imperative," ervationofldentity in BombayCity.The he says which, in time, became embed- 400-page manuscript is a revised ver- ded in the communal mind as a social sion of the dissertation that won Palsetiaideology.

his doctorate from the University of Growing affluence and the desire to Toronto's department of history in 1996. enlarge their area of influenceledto A research scholar and edi- catholic philanthropy in

tor at Toronto'sCentre for termsofwaterwells,schools,

SouthAsianStudies, colleges, hospitals. Increased

·' Palsetia was in Bombay ear- education and social partici-

lier in the year consulting pation led to involvement in

the Maharashtra state ar- politicsandthefreedom

chives and other sources. struggle.

Concentrating on the his- "We are not just an Ira-

tory of the Parsis and that of nian preservation on Indian

Bombay and westernIndia soil. Ours is the creation of a

within his overall specialty unique multi-layered, Parsi-

ofBritish imperialism in In- Polsetia: Preserve Indian identity. At its heart dia, Palsetiasays the Parsisdocuments of our is the conservative religious have continuously faced two past identity. This religiousiden- problems since their arrival Photo: Arnavaz s. Mama tity remains the same while here: the questionofinte- the social and culturaliden- gration into the host societyon the one tity is changing," explainsPalsetia. The hand and that of maintaining their own priestswere the originalleaders since identity on the other. Within the limits they served contemporary needs. They setby these two conflicting parameters, were replacedby the sethias, the mer­ the community has had to set its course. cantile elite, in British India. As mem­ In practice,the communal situationfor bers of the Punchayetthey became "a the Parsishas also been influenced by unique elementin the shaping of Parsi the historical changes withinthe host identity intheurbansetting." The society. For example, the scene changed Punchayet dictatedsocial rules: the place from thesocietalstructuresofHindu ofwomen in society;abolishing polyan­ rule to those of an overweening Moghul dryandacceptingtheconceptofdi­ empire.Thenagaincommunal life vorce. It had the power to excommuni­ needed to be navigated differently with cate. The early 19th century Punchayet

·the coming of the European settlersand demanded that"childrenofintermar­

the establishment of the BritishRaj. ried couples be broughtto it for adjudi­ Each of these changes providedfresh cation," recountsPalsetia, adding, "The challenges and opportunities. The Parsis community accepted the draconian mea­ integrated commercially and socially to sures of the Punchayet since at that time avail of the prevailingopportunities (they) weredeemed necessary ... Todaywhile withstanding the challenge to their we talk of rights.Nobody tal ked of rights religious identity. in theearly19thcentury. (The Palsetia believes that when the Parsis Punchayet' s) bandobast was not legisla­ opted for strict endogamy(marriage only tive law but the ethos of the community

within thecommunity), and non-con- that understood its customs."

41 Pars/ana August 2000

Whenthe needs of the historical en­ vironment changed,the Punchayet was seenas no longer relevant. Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoysaw the British influence as a more secure element for maintaining Parsi institutions and the Punchayetwas dumped in favor of westerneducation and the British legal system, observesPalsetia.

The decline of the Punchayet un­ leashed a multitude of ideas which,over time,were formulated into laws of mar­ riage, divorce and inheritance and women came to be recognized as prop­ erty owners under the law. "Marriage law and the marriage ceremonyare both symbols of createdcustoms...a combi­ nation of Iranianand Indian customs under the Britishmodel."

With the concept of rights arising by

end 19th, early 20th century,the ques­ tion arose: Who constitutes a Parsi? The new mechanismof the law courts pro­ vided an opportunity and a challenge and in 1908 a workingdefinition was provided by JusticeDaver and Justice Beaman with the "BPPaccepting the childrenof mixed marriages as an act of tolerance,not of acquiescence. It does not settlethe debate since this was an extra community institution adjudicat­ ing on a community issue."

Palsetia' s reading of history has led him to the belief that "compulsions, court battles,don't solve anything...The strength of the communityin different historical settings is its creative adapt­ ability. That (is what) goes beyondreli­ gious definitions to what binds us as a community, as a people... Creative ad­ aptations can occur when there's a sense of consensusand goodwill in the com­ munity. Nothing preventsthe priesthood, the laity ar.d the leadership coming to­ gether to addressdifferent issues that need to be addressed ... (Such adapta­ tions) will never occurin law courts and extra community forums."

Bombay born, Canada raisedPalsetia

made six trips to Bombay in the 1990s since the bulk of historical research mate­ rial is here. The Maharashtra state ar­ chives are in a bad way, he reports, urging that as a community we need to preserve documents of our past. Other sourcesof Parsi history are theJ. N. Petit Library,the BombayParsi Punchayet libraryand the Bombay University Libraryat Kalina. He recommends that the Parsee Prakash needs two persons to adequately translate it from Gujaratiinto English.

Son of the late Sam and Mehroo Palsetia, the historian's other researchpapers deal with Parsis and British roy­ alty, Parsis and Mahatma Gandhiand an essay on the Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy family which he is currently reworking. Though not a regularattendee at ZSO (Zoroas­trian Society of Ontario) activities, he keeps infonnedand has writtena "small memoir on the Parsi community in Ontario." When not grappling withhow and whywe became whatwe are, Palsetia listens to good music- he used to play the oboe - and immerses himselfin fiction, enjoying the writings of Bapsy Sidhwa and Rohinton Mistry.

Quoting Marc Bloc, Palsetia says, "'Theobject ofhistory is to understand.' Our community is in declinein absolute

terms - in education, numbers,re­ sources ... People survivebecause they want to survive. In that willingness is the definitionof who they are...The strength of a community is its adaptability. Con­ sensus is possible given good conscience and given respect for the historyof the community. I don't believein indepen­ dent action because it will solve noth­ ing. Rights can be adjudicated but peace comes withconsensus."

When religions unite

Two international events in the closing

months of 1999 are illustrative of the

effortsthat arc being made in our in­ creasingly divisiveworld to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, to stop the exploitation of the ecosystems, to end the barbarous antagonisms be­ tween peoples. The religions of the world, historically a fertile source of strife, are seekingto create a bridgehead of restitution, restoration and reconcili­ ation on a globalbasis so that the techno­ logical and economic cohesionfostered by sciencemay benefit humanityat large.

The seventh assemblyof the World

Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP) was convenedin Amman, Jor-

dan in November1999 when various religious communities presented"mod­ els of peace and reconciliation in keep­ ing with their sacredtexts, teachings and warrants," writes Jehangir Sarosh ofthe Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe who has been representing Zoroastrians at interfaithconferences.

Acknowledging that "The rights em­ bodied in the International Bill of Rights (the foundingdocument of the United Nations Organization) with its inclusion of civil, political, economic,social and cultural rights can never be realized apart from the actualization of the common ethical concernsembodied in all religious traditions,"the WCRP acceptsthat "True reconciliation requires the painful acknowledgement that both religious pat­ terns and the actions of religiously moti­ vatedpeople have also caused conflict, suffering and pain," notes Sarosh.

Hencethe emphasis is on affirming a common humanity,ensuring security and interdependence throughfair sys­ tems of production and distribution and protecting all children from the ravages of war and exploitation in all forms, writes Sarosh.To enable such a sce­ nario, the WCRP has committed itself to transmitthe values and heritage of the

With Best Wishes From

MrRusy M. Shroff, M.B.E.

and

MrsPurviz R. Shroff

42 Parsiana August 2000

1999 Parliame11t

1 of the World's J{e'

Rivetna, Antia, Bajanand Dhalla; and United Religions- A progress report and formulation of future direction by Rivetna. Other Zarathushti participants included DilshadAntia, Mehroo Bhote and Roshan Ri vetna from North America; PhiroshawCamay and Soli Shapurjee of South Africa, Rusi and Roshan Dalal and Jehangir Sarosh of UK.

The Zarathushti gift to the world com­ munity on the occasion was to endeavor to teach Zarathushti youth worldwide the Global Ethic which had been developed at the second Parliament held in Chicago in 1993, notes Dhalla in his synopsisof the Parliament's proceedings.

One of theplenary sessions of the

Parliament was addressedby indepen­ dent South Africa's first president, Nelson Mandela,who noted, "Religion is one of the motivating forcesof every­ thing we do and will have a crucialrole in inspiring humanityto meet the enor­ mous challenges we face today." "Com­ passion, restraint,patience and respon­ sibility" were the DalaiLama's prin­ ciples for ethicalconduct, elucidated at the closingsession.

Six Zoroastrians were among the 300 delegates comprisingThe Parliament Assembly which reviewed the draft of "A call to our guiding institutions, (reli­ gion, government, labor,industry, com­ merce, education, communications me­ dia, science and medicine, etc)" to re­ flect on and redefinetheir roles in ad­

Top from left (sitting): Roshan Rivetna, Dastoor,Roshan Dalal, Jungalwala and Bajan;(standing) Rusi Dalal, RohintonRivetna and Dhalla. Bottom:Same as above with additionof Shapurjee (extreme left)

various traditions to create "a shared culture of peace." The aim is to provide education that would instill"the skills of listening and hearing, of promoting tol­ erance and understanding, of healing, of reconciliation and of buildinga culture of peace," sowing the seeds of a com­ mon humanitywhere "the most righ­ teous are the most honored," observes Sarosh.

Over 800 presentations, lectures, semi­ nars and workshops markedthe third Parliament of the World's Religions at Cape Town,South Africa in December 1999. Among the 6,000 who attended the eventwere 20 Zarathushtis from different parts of the world. Each day

44 Parsiana August 2000

started with over 20 parallelsessions of prayer and meditation. Bombay'sErvad Parvez Bajan and Dr Homi Dhalla and Chicago's RohintonRivetna conducted one sessioneach, notes a press release.

NotableZarathushti presentations in­ cluded: Beliefsand concepts Zoroastri­ ans sharewith other faithsand An expla­ nation of the navjoteinitiation ceremony by Dastur (Dr) Kersey Antia; Ethical concepts of international living-the Zoroastrian viewpointby Bajan; The seminal contribution of Zoroastrianism to the religions of the world and The resplendent vision of Zarathushtra as profiled in his Gathas- a worldlegacy by Keki R. Bhote; Gathicmysticism and interfaith harmonyby Dhalla; Technol­ ogy, information revolution and lifestyle adjustments in families by Dr Dolly Dastoor; Zoroastrianism's reciprocity with other world religions and civiliza­ tions by Khorshed F. Jungalwala; Zoro­ astrianism: Its imperative for interfaith work in the modernage with panelists

dressing the criticalissues of our times:

disintegrating community, unrelenting demand for the earth'sresources, aggra­ vated injustice,divisions between rich and poor, and spiritualindirection.

Atribute to Toxy

The Karachi Zarthosti BanuMandai

(KZBM) had been preparing to honor their tirelesspresident Toxy Cowasjee but the lady's allergyto public plaudits being well documented, the KZBM man­ agingcommittee had to virtually smuggle it in!

The occasionwas a fund raiser fash­

ion show titled "Four Seasons" orga­ nizedby Yezdi Haveliwalla and the youth as part of the KZBM Contest for WZC 2000 on February26, 2000. After the 600 strong audiencehad appreci­ ated the clothes, the choreography, the music, the models, the poems com­ posed to introduce each season, the sound, the lighting, etc.Cowasjee spoke about the forthcoming World Congress.

Presenting her a 'TributeBox' and a

clumsily perhaps!"

KZBM

joint secretary Sunnu Galwalla felicitatingCowa.\jee while

Haveliva/a

applauds

and uncomfortable," she added. None­ theless, some werequoted bricny.

DclincatingCowasjee'sachievements

Talati noted, "Asthe president ofKZBM she has taken the Mandai to a great height and there is absolutely no one who has her ability and vision ... (She) has served the entireZarathushti community of Karachi, living here and overseas ... has supported all individuals and associations who have approached her and has gone out of her way to make theirprojects a success." One tributehas described Cowasjeeas the "ultimate world citizensince she believes the world is hers -her passion and her responsibility." The World Zoroastrian

bouquet, KZBM vice president Goo! Talati addressedCowasjee: ''Our very dear Toxy, you have touched the life of a multitude of people over the years,and this is a small recognition of your im­ mense service."

Acknowledging that the suddenness

of the presentation and lack of prior notice may be inappropriate, Talati ex­ plained, "People close to Toxy repeat­ edly told us that she will not like it. Yet there was so much admiration and grati­ tude to express that we could not hold it all back. Sohere we are before you, a bit

The fashion show occasion was se­ lected for the presentation because"it is a rare day when Toxy is not involved with organizing of the function, so we could smugglein the box and flowers!" The tribute box, designedby Tannaz Minwalla, containeda selection of old photographs of projects Cowasjee headed and messages from overseas Zarathushti organizations, friends, KZBM committeemembersandthe youths, informedTalati. "Normally trib­ ute messagesarc read out publicly but Toxywould find that too embarrassing

Organisation (WZO) and the World Zo­

roastrian Congress 2000 (WZC 2000) organizers have expressed their apprecia­ tion of her work and a Zarathushti scholar has upheldher "hard work and significant personal sacrifice" as an inspiration toyouth.

The originalintention was to present

Cowasjee with a tribute album - a suggestion from author/journalistFarish­ te Dinshaw-which later grew into a box, Talati noted.

Compiled by Arnavaz S. Mama

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ANJUMANS

Landing in trouble The community in Surat is battling to thwart the government'sland acquisition orders

Parinaz M. Gandhi

"We are very much disturbedby (the) sudden acquisition proceedings started by the Government of Gujarat, taking away nearly four-firth of the land situ­ ated in and around (the) UmarwadaParsi Tower of Silence, the final resting place of the Zoroastrian community," wrote Dr Sam Bhacca,president of the Surat Parsi Panchayat(SPP) in his letter dated June 4, 2000 to the chairmanof the National Commission for Minorities seeking his help and intervention.

The community in Surat was alarmed when the GujaratSamacharofMay 21, 2000 carriedan advertisement notifying that the collector, Surat,would be ac­ quiringcertain plots of land in Umarwada for the development of the Khetiwadi Utpanna Bajar Samitee (Agriculture Produce MarketCommittee). A similar advertisement in the Gujarat Mitra and GujaratDarpan of the same day re­ ferred to the acquisition of a part of Karanj propertyfor the same purpose. Thus a total of 1,47,937 sq m of land were sought to be acquired.

"We have alreadyfiled our objec­ tions ...before the special land acquisi­ tion officer - deputy collector, Choryasi Prant,Surat," mentions Bhacca in a letter to Parsiana. As a minority trust they claimed they were entitledto the protection of fundamental rights guaranteed to the minoritiesunder the Constitution of India. And particularly since thisland is used forreligious pur­ poses where Zoroastrians receive their last rites before they are laid to rest in the Towers of Silence, they noted, "This...is such a sacredplace where human movementand other activities are restricted in the vicinityof about 300 feet all around,and for the land appurtenant to beyond this limit activi­ ties are permitted subjectto a specific negative covenantthat no high rise con­ struction will be permittedeven if the FSI(floor space index)is available ...and

49Parsiana August 2000

if the land ...is acquired for the purpose of expansionof the market yard, the public purposefor which the land is being used will be defeated ..."

Declaring that all the surveynum­ bersproposed to be acquired are owned by the SPP, a public charitable trust registered under the Bombay Public Trusts Act, they held that the purpose for whichthe lands are sought to be acquired is "not a public purpose but a private purposeinasmuch as theMarket Committee is not a 'government' ..."

They furthercontended that the Mar­

ket Committee docs not require the land for expansion of the market yard since it already owns and possessesmore than sufficient vacant open land. They listed further availablelands in the vicinity of the market yard: governmentwasteland or gauc/1er land (for grazing) which could suit the market'spurpose. Besides the Market Committee had earlier nego­ tiated in private for the purchaseof some of these lands, they recalled.

As explainedby Bhacca in his letter

of June 14, 2000to Lt Gcn (Retd) Adi Sethna, the Zoroastrianrepresentative on the National Commission for Mi­ norities, it was in 1992 that the Market Committee hadentered into an agree­ ment with the SPP to buy 42,044 sq yd (35, 153 sq m) of land in Umarwadaand 15,759 sq yd ( 13,176sq m) in Karanj for which the charity commissioner's sanc­ tion had alsobeen obtained. "Against this some of the Parsispreferredan appeal with the Gujarat Revenue Tribu­ nal" for which a judgmentis awaited, the hearings now over. The MarketCom­ mittee which had to wait for eight years because of this appeal "tried to use this method of land acquisition," continued Bhacca. The Market Committee has al­ ready acquirednearly I,30,000 sq yards(I,08,695sq m) just opposite this site, constructing thereonthe market, with shops, outhouses, etc and businessac-

tivities have already commenced there, writes Bhacca. "There (is) still lots of vacant land available with them for de­ velopment if at all they really intend to develop the said market...In spite of that they are trying to acquirelands of our trust," complained Bhacca.

Acknowledging Sethna's "prompt action and valuable services," Bhacca referred to Sethna' s conversation with a competentauthority at the Sachi­ valaya in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Thereafter Bhacca with his co-trustee Noshir Dabhoiwala and honorary ex­ ecutive officerSorab Katpitia called upon the collector of Surat who "heard us patientlyand ...assured us that she will considerthe matter from all angles. However,as a precautionary measure we arc followingup the mat­ ter with our lawyer. .."

While usually it is Ketty Arun Mehta who appears for the SPP in all property matters at the Gujarat High Court, with her being away on an overseas vacation, the documents were handedover to Prakash Jani to file preliminary objections as well as to file a writ petitionif circumstances demand, reported Bhacca.

"This is not the first time that huge

pieces of landsunder the SPP have been acquiredby the Municipal Cor­ poration for roads, stores,godowns, etc," stated Dr Minoo Hiraji Parabia, Eruch B. Lakdawala and Noshir B. Dabooof the Jarthosti Dharma and SamajSeva Samiti (JDSSS)who sum­ moned a meeting at Surat' sEntee Dha­ ramshala on June 18, calling upon all elders and youngsters, malesand fe­ males to attend the proceedings such that with one voice the community can expressits disapproval, mentioned their handbill in Gujarati.

The following Sunday, nearly I,000 Zoroastrians took to the streets with banners, placardsand posters to decry

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50 Parsiana August 2000

the collector's acquisition order. Ob­ serving the tenets and traditions of their faith is dearer to them thanlife, was their message boldlyprinted in Gujarati. Start­ ing at Nanpura, the rally proceededthrough Rustompura, Sagrampuraand ended at the office of the deputy collec­ tor SangitaSinh, according to a reportin Parsidom, July 15, 2000.

A joint statementinGujaratiwas

then issued by the SPP trustees, Bhacca, Dabhoi wala,Khushru Lashkari, Dhunj i­ shah Dumasia,Jam shed Dotiwala, Homi Doodhwala, ShehrooSopariwala and HormazdiyarPatel. Through their hand­ bill the trustees sought to inform the "Parsi communityas to what we arc doing to thwart the acquisition proceed­ings," while respecting the religious tra­ ditions and keeping the interests of the community in mind. This clarification was also carriedin toto in the Jam-e­ Jamshed and The Bombay Samachar.

The SPP then sent lettersto the chair­

man of the Bombay ParsiPunchayet, the secretariat of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans oflndiaand other anjumans and punchaycts in India ap­ prising them of the developments inSuratand requesting them to lodge pro­ tests againstthe proposed acquisition proceedings. "Thecommunity is facing a serious situation. If immediate and strongprotest is notlodged, in futurethe community assets will ...(face)more such situations," warnedBhacca in his letter. "Such a matter may have to be faced by other Parsicharity trusts managingTow­ ers of Silence (around) which there are open lands (so) punchayetsand anju­ mans of various places and especially those of Gujarat shouldwrite to the Government ofGujarat about their com­ plete disagreement of the proposed ac­ quisition ..."

The Federation and its constituent

members agreed to join the SPP' s pro­ testagainst the proposedacquisiti'on at the executivecouncil meet con­ vened in Madras on July 15, 2000. They advised the SPP to find a way of opting out of its earlierproposed sale, join forceswith the JDSSS to present a united front and grow bawal on theavailable land in the interest of fire­ temples in Surat and Bombay which are starved of kathi. As Sethna noted, in these days when minoritieshave been unhappy targets of violence in the country the "sanction of law is in our favor if we use the land for (the purpose for) which it is assigned."

POLITICS AND POLICY

Protecting Parsi rights

According to Lt Gen Adi Sethna, memberof the National Commissionfor Minorities, Indiansoutside Maharashtra and Gujarat barely know of the Parsis

Arnavaz S. Mama

"The major worry about demographic decline is the impact on income... Each year there are more people in the non­ productive age groups," Lt Gen (Retd) Adi Sethna, the Zoroastrian mem­

ber of the National Commission

for Minorities (NCM), told the community membersgathered together at the J. B. Vachha High School at Dadar Parsi Colony at the invitation of the trusteesof The Mancherji E. Joshi Memorial Trust (MJMT) on June 17, 2000. Substantial interaction between audience and speaker marked the occaswn.

Flipping his diagonally folded

kerchief to emphasizehis point, Selima demonstrated the differ­ ence betweenthe wide youth­ based structure of national In­

dian society versusthe inverted pyra­ mid of the Zoroastrian community with its slenderyouth population expectedto support the burgeoning aged strata. While deaths annually averageI,000 at Bombay's Doongcrwadi alone, births in the whole oflndiawould barely num­ ber 800, he noted.

"We cannot wish away our age," said Sethna,pointing to the substantial incidence of breast cancer,osteoporo­ sis,Alzheimer's andother diseases.

"In (Bombay)they know Parsis. Else­

wherethey don't," said Sethna, iterat- 1ng\he neeo 1or \'ne commun\tymem­ bers to help the census staff document the information correctly in light of the 10 percent decennial drops overthe latter part of the 20th century.Half the people of the 10,000-strong Dadar Parsi Colony have not been listedat the last census, complained noted social worker and MJMT trustee Mithoo Jesia.Is it because censuspersonnel arc inad­ equately briefed?she wondered. "Can associations givethe census?" Jesia asked. A member of the audiencesug­ gestedthat Parsi numberswere not ad-

52 Pars/ana August 2000

equately reflected in the final figures because the person taking the census tends to list Parsi Zoroastrians among "others." "Often the person taking the

/ ANCftRdl·

,l·- Meu

_-'-·i;

Sethna (left)and Morris: "getting people together" Photo: Arnavaz S. Mama

census does not know it (but) Parsis,as a subgroup, exists" in the census data files, assured Sethna,ascribing errors to "ignorance ratherthan malafides." He urged Zoroastrians of each localityto ensure throughtheir associations, that they are counted and are availableto be counted. He suggested that the commu­ nity associations "use cable TV to an­ nounce which locality will be censused,on which day," while he askedthe Cew u12.Comm\-s,<;:.\()'i\ \() <;:,e'i\'2.\\\'Le \\;v \'1 team on minority recognition at the national and state levels.

Sethna fielded a number of ques­ tions and requestsfor reservation for Parsi studentsingeneralandprofes­ sional colleges. "Toomany people don't seem to be able to get through even the junior college level," commented Sethna, bemoaning the absence ofParsis in the lAS (IndianAdministrative Ser­ vice) and IFS (IndianForeign Service). Only a few remainin the IPS (Indian Police Service)and thearmed forces,

according to Sethna. He ascribed the drought toindividual and family atti­ tudes about which the Minorities Com­ mission and the government can do noth­ ing. "Overprotection of the male

child has led to ruination.My

grandfather began life as a post­ man (and eventually became a) constable. There was an urge to improve the quality of life for the family... During World War I Parsi doctors won military crosses ... In World War II the proportion ofParsis(in the armed forces)was high ... because par­ ents realizedthat the way to push people up was to become offic­ ers... Educationmeans effort for the child as well as parents.Two of my daughters are PhDs. My eldest grandsongot into six medi­

calcolleges. But how hard they slogged!"

stressed Sethna.

Sethna reminded the audiencethat Parsis had not asked for reservation and that the late Homi Taleyarkhan and other distinguished Parsis had shot down the community'sdemandforreserva­ tion. Noting that it was now up to the community to decide what form of res­ ervation was required, he informedthe gathering that he was pursuing the ap­ plicability of the 1991Supreme Court judgement regarding New Delhi'sSt Stephen's Collegewhere the Court ac­

\:.\'\() \e %,e \\\ \ m\\'\<0 \\') \'0\\\'\ t 'i\\'\ managed institutions had the right to a 50 percent reservation. But, he asked, "Have we done enough to fill the avail­ able vacancies?" referring to two scats available in Karnataka whichif left unavailed, will be lost for good. "The question is not only of reservation but of Parsi charity... Do our organizations help with grounding from eighth stan­ dard onward?" Are people willing toworkwith loans or "do we only want grants?" asked Sethna.

On the bright side he had heard that

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a substantial numberof community youths had opted for information tech­ nology, maintaining the community's penchant for entering new fields of edu­ cation. Alsoon the anvil was the Bombay Parsi Punchayet(BPP)'s venture capi­ tal scheme.

Jesia sought Sethna'sreassurance in safeguarding the covenant providing cxclusi vc right of residence to Pars is in the Colony.(The right to exclusive residence for the communityin the Dadar Parsi Colony was upheld by the City Civil Court in 1980.) Unawareofthis covenant until a few hours ago Sethna suggested that the municipality and the state government needed to beaddressed before involvingthe NCM.

Noted solicitor and MJMT president

Soli Morris recountedhow the Colony founderManchcrji Edulji Joshi had begged Parsis earlier to purchase plots on this land when it was a jungle."Only 70-75plots arc under the deed," he noted,adding that non-Parsis can own the plots but cannot reside there as per the covenant.

In his speech welcoming Sethna and the five BPP trustees- Jamshed Guz­ der, Dadi Engineer, DinshawMehta, Rustom Tirandaz and Dinshaw Tamboly

continued on page 106

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READERS' FORUM

continued from page 30

a handful. Hence those few birds still existing are not enough to do the job in minutes- not even days! The undevoured bodies lying around decompose and rot producing an unbearable stench which is also against the tenets of the faith. Which then is the lesser evil?

There are a whole lot more valid reasons for changing the system but they are too ugly and revolting to write about in the media. Sufficeit to say that an electric crematorium disposes the body quickly and hygienically with dignity and decorum, and lesser revulsionat the thought of a loved one's remains being so desecrated. Moreover, from the crematorium ashes can be collected in an urn to be retained or to be disposed of as per the wishesof the deceased or the family.

The crematorium is certainly the answer for replacing the orthodox systemwhich was goodand practical for the medieval ages. There does not seem to be a bettermethod than the electric crematorium where the body is incinerated by heating elements (like from the sun) without flames of the fire held so sacredby the Zoroastrian faith.

Is it the contention of the orthodox that souls of Parsis dying abroad, who are eitherburied or turned into ashes in a crematorium, do not go to heaven but remain in purgatory?I believe that the choice shouldbe left to the individual to exercise his/her right freely in a moderndemocratic society without the dogmaticapproach of the orthodox few forcing their beliefs onto other members of the community at large. The right of every Zoroastrian, whether opting for the Towers of Silenceor the crematorium, to have the prayersand rites performedfor a funeral are inalienable and sacrosanct. Nobody has the right to overrule the last wishes of the deceased.

Establishing a crematorium at the TowersofSilence

would solve the controversy once and for all.

BURJOR POONA WALA

Funds for Doongerwadi

The Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) through their announce­

ments in the Presshave informed all Zoroastrians that the Punchayet is incurring huge losses in maintaining the proper­

ties at Doongerwadi and in providing services to the relatives ofthe deceased. We consider it the duty of every Zoroastrian to contribute his mite -the maximum possible -towards

this most worthy cause.

Wein the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO) are not onlykeenly aware of the problemsbeing fac(fd by the Punchayetin this regard, but also appreciate the multi­ prongedmeasures being adoptedby the Punchayet to reno­ vate_ and beautify bung lis and gardens. We therefore took upon ourselves the task of doing our utmostto help the Punchayet to collect amountsfor its "Doongerwadi Fund."

Since October 1999 all the baugs and colonies from

Colaba to Jogeshwari have been covered.A dedicated band of about a dozen volunteersbetween the age of 10 and 72, went round all the baugs and colonies on Sunday morningsand collected over Rs 8.5lakhs.Besides, they helpedthe BPP to collect a further sum of over Rs 1,15,000.

We realize that thisamount, though large by itself,is

nothing compared to the needs of the BPP. We wish to exhort all Zoroastrians that they should donateto this excellent cause on a regularbasis. Whenever and whatever they wish to donate may be sent directlyto our office at Union Press, 13,

57 Parsiana August 2000

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President, World Zoroastrian Organisation, India

Honor the heritage Considering our microscopicnumbers, our physical assets in India are fantastic by calculation. Our largest physicalas­ sets are our housing colonies, spread over India and in Karachi.There is a cruelty attachedto their story!The ar­ chaic Rent Act has frozen the rents, across most parts of India,since 1948. Allexpenses are at current costs.The Cost of Living Index (CLI) is calculated on current economic indices.So also the Wholesale Price Index (WPI). The sala­ ries are indexed to the CLI, but our largest single physicalasset- our hous­ ing stock -stands intatters! The com­ bined deficit of theBombayParsiPunchayet (BPP) in 1998/99 was Rs

1.26 crores for its housing estates,plus

another Rs 0.18 crore for its Doonger­ wadi. Total = Rs 1.44 crores.

It is but natural that due to the sheer weight of numbers (though only 71,000) the largest concentration ofhousing stock happens to be in India. Of that, 60-70 percent is in GreaterBombay.

An impassioned plea was made to the

tenants enjoying the said archaicprotec­ tion(endlessly merciful to them, and endlessly merciless to all the landlords), that they should volunteer to enhance their rents - 2,500 individually ad­ dressed appeals were sent out. Only eight cared to reply. Two retiredschool teachers agreed to have their rentals enhanced reasonably. Two aged spin­ sters also agreedto oblige. The lone shining star was Phiroze Amroliwalla who sent in Rs 15,000 in response.

The BPP carriedout a survey of the health and safety of the buildingsmore than 40 years old, and has planned to allocate some meaningful amountsto­ wards the program of repairs on a cycli­ cal basis i.e. on a continualbasis till the assets standerect.

Fellow Zoroastrian tenants do not

seem to be bothered to retain our price­ less physical heritagewhich they have enjoyed, for a song, for 52 years. There

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58 Parsiana August 2000

are 5,000 plus flats in Greater Bombay owned by the BPP and other trusts. Tenantswith Mercedes, Honda and BMW cars, childrengoing to the posh­ est of schools and colleges,and the tenants being members of the swankiest clubs, are obliviousof this malady.

It is high time that those who ate out

of the community's common pot, very freely, put something back into it, in equal measure. Else, those physicalheri­ tages will go the Harappan way: be ruined as a result of natural disaster.

I am told that the priceless Meherji

Rana Library in Navsari,a treasure­ trove of literature, customs, history and religion, is in a patheticstate (scholar and author Piloo Jungalwalla of Delhi has donated Rs 6,00,000 for the mod­ ernization of the MeherjiRana Library through the UNESCO assisted project coordinated by Dr ShernazCama - Editor). Also, the much smallerlibrary at Tarapore is in dangerof being in­ fested by white ants. The respective anjumans and the trusteesof these li­ braries have to do something immedi­ ately so that these heritagescan be mi­ crofilmed and preserved for posterity. Iam aware that the average life of ami­ crofilm is 10-20 years,and the canisters

have to be preservedin air-cooled/air­ conditioned storage space.

We lost our Kayan glory, and we lost

our all at thebattles of Nihavandand Qadisya. WelostourEmpirein631 AD. But we retained our two assetsintact­ our probity (whichis the first part of our religion) and our spiritof enterprise.

Thecommunity owes an immeasur­ able debt to the dastursof yore. They carried the entire religiouslore in their minds and started recordingit, they say, two to three centuries(some say five) after landingin India. That heritage is, again, in danger! Many of us do not pray, on the ostensible plea that we do not comprehend what we pray. Avesta, Zend, Pazand and Pahlaviare Greek and Latin to us. If an informalsurvey is carried out, and the Parsis are honest to themselves, one in five does not pray. In the urban centers,may be one in five girls does not wear a sudreh and kusti. Despite the miraculous powers of our prayers, faith in our prayers is becoming fainterand fainter.

In the major metropolises, speakingin English alone isthe fashion. Speakingin Gujarati is not fashionable and it is supposed to be a medium of yokels. We Parsis are not language fanatics, but we

mustmaintain our culturalheritage which is born out of Gujarat.Cultur­ ally, we are phase II of Gujarati Hindus and we should be proud of it. Men like Kavi Khabardar, Kabraji,P. J. Marzban and others have embellished the Gujarati language and literature. But very many of our youngsters refuse to speak in Gujarati.Some have told me, categori­ cally, that our pledge to King Jadi Rana, which we honoredfor over 13centuries, is enough, and there should be no man­ date to perpetuate that part of the pledge. I am glad that Dr Homi Dhalla is spear­ heading a movement to attract our chil­ drento read, write and speak Gujarati. I am told that even in Toronto such classes are run, with the crusading spirit ofPutli Noshir Mirza and her teamwho keep not just the 'language torch' but alsothe 'culture torch' burning.

The Jews and Poles are classicex­

amples. They have retained their roots in their language, despite the severestoppressions faced during World War II under the purges of Hitler and his war­ machine.At no cost should we dilute, much less surrender and ignore, our priceless heritage.There will be a ter­ rible price to pay for neglect.

BEHRAM T. DASTUR

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60 Parsiana August 2000

Help train doctors

Our community has a rich tradition of

having produced an outstanding cadre of doctorsin every area of medicine.If this tradition is to continue, it is impera­ tive that those of our youthwho are interested in and qualifyfor medicine must be given the necessary supportto offset the disadvantage that they face on account of the reservations policypur­ sued by the government.

The trustees of the BombayParsi Punchayet (BPP) have decided to take a lead in this matter with a hope that other trusts will also follow suit and extend substantial financialsupport to Zoroas­ trian studentswho are interested in and qualify for the medicaldiscipline. The trustees have earmarked a very substan­ tial amount for this purpose and are capitalizing the same. The interest would be used to achieve the objective.

The scheme will operate in a very

simple manner:

•Zoroastrian students who are interested and qualifyfor the medical discipline should send their applications for finan­ cial support to BPP for consideration.

•Depending upon the numberof appli­ cations received,the funds availableat the material time and other relevant data

taken into consideration, the BPP would consider extendingfinancial support on an annual basis, for the durationof the course. Naturally, for the supportto be renewed, it would be incumbent upon the beneficiaries to prove their fine aca­ demic performance.

•The support would be by way of an interest-free loan which the beneficia­ ries would repay to the BPP in instal­ ments once they begin their medical practice and are settledin their careers. This would enable the recycling of funds, thereby allowing more of our youth to pursuea medical career.

•Applications seeking assistance may be forwarded to the SeniorExecutive (Wel­ fare), BPP,209, D. N. Road, Fort,Bombay 400001, along with all relevantdetails.

Donors who are interested in sup­

porting this worthwhile cause may send cheques and drafts, made payable to "Parsi Punchayet- Bombay" at the same address.

It is a universally known fact that a sound educationis the most valuable gift that one can give to the youth. In­ vesting in our youth is akin to investing in the future of our community.

S.D. MASTER

Sr Executive, Welfare, Bombay Parsi Punchayet

Electoral reforms

The scheme, for the electionofthe

trustees, promoted by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, seems innocuous but it is hoodwinking gullibleand trustful Parsis.

It will surprisemany to know that of the estimated45,000 adult Parsi resi­ dents of Bombay only 1,604 (3.5 per­ cent) are authorized to exercise their right at trusteeship elections.The total number of authorized voters1,604 con­ sists of all the 802, who have paid Rs 5,000/15,000 in the past, as donationto, the Punchayet, in order to purchase their right of voting and another equalnum­ ber who have been electedfrom among 20,000 membersenlisted on the General Register on payment of Rs 5. I have never come across anyone asking me to give money in order to obtain a voting right. Exceptthe Bombay Punchayetall otherpunchayets operating in India and abroad follow the systemof adult fran­ chise.

The suggestion, by the Punchayet, that

in order to infuse freshblood/ideas, in the working of the Punchayet, no trustee should be allowed to remain in office for morethan 21 years,is preposterous. Ifthe Punchayet is genuine, they should restrict the term of office to three or maximum

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62 Parsiana August 2000

four years, and not more than two terms, that is six or maximum eight years, only whena person is found exceptionally efficient. The trustees, if they are really sincere, must learn to give up power and position and should not treat trusteeship as their jagir (property).

Trusteeship elections in the pastwere

free,fair and held in a peaceful and aignWkd manner.The elections held recently, were different. It is shameful that dirty politics have crept in our com­ munity electionsalso.

It will be good for the community if

a code of good behavior is evolved, limitingthe ugly display of money and muscle power. At least let the elections appear dignified. DALI J.GUNDEVIA

Matching marrow

My cousin, 40-year-old Arshis Pavri

happily married to Persis, has been blessed with a young son Johan, seven years of age. Arshis and Persis, both spent theirchildhood at Dadar,Bombay and migrated to USA in 1988.

In 1998 Arshis was diagnosedto be

, suffering from CML (chronic mylo­

genous leukemia). Arshis has been un­ dergoingtreatment at variouswell­ known institutions such as Johns Hop-

kins, Sloan Kettering, Hackensack Uni­ versity, all located in USA.

As is well known, CML is a very

serious and life threatening blood dis­ order. The only curative therapyis an allogeneic bone marrowtransplant. Arshis hasbeen receiving chemotherapy for two and a half years, trying to keep the diseasein remission.

Arshis has had his name registered with all national and international reg­ istries. A search is being conductedin these registries every week for donors with matchingtypes but thus far the same is yet to meet with success. We hope to create global awareness and locate a bone marrow donor residingin any country.

A bone marrow transplant, as some of us know, is far easier said than done. To get a matchingdonor is an uphill task, but one has to be undertaken. For any prospective donor it is necessary to initially have only a blood test done. If the tested blood matches,the individual could be selected as a bone marrow donor. Arshis' parentsand brother have already undergonethe blood test but unfortunately the result has been nega­ tive.

Essentially, in a case such as that of

Arshis, the sequenceshould be, first for the blood of the family membersto be tested, thereafter membersof the same ethnic community, after which those of the same race and so on. The odds natu­ rally keep on increasing as one moves on from one segment to another.

At this point of time, an earnest re­

o_uest is beinlb made tCl all 'Z.Cl\".Cl\\".\ \\ within the age group of I 8 and 60 who would be interested in helping Arshis to get an initialblood test done. Those who are agreeable may get in touch with Arshis' family at Bombay: Rohinton Pavri, brother, Arnie Aderianwalla, mother-in-law, 803/C, Laxmi Bhuvan or 607/D, Daulat Manzil,Dr B. Ambedkar Road, Dadar, Bombay 400014. Tel #+91(22)4149514 Tel:

#+91(22)4128875 E-mail: kcpavri@

bom3.vsnl.net.in E-mail: aderianwalla

@yahoo.com

Donations will also be welcome as the financial involvement in this project is considerable. Donations may be sent in the name of "TheWorld Zoroastrian Organisation Trust," Shanti, 5th Floor, 6, Banaji Street,Fort, Bombay 400001. Donations to the WZO Trust are exempt u/s 800 (5) of the Income Tax Act 1961.

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Let's save our faith

Today 90 percent of our fellow Zoroas­

trians have forgottenhow hard our ancestors had struggled to save the flame of this religionfrom extinguish­ ing. It is due to this ignorance that today so many of our fellow Zarathushtis have begun to adopt new religions and faiths. It is not uncom­ mon to see them worshipping idols and babas. Many have also discardedwear­ ing their sudreh and kusti just because they feel that it's "old-fashioned!" But the questionarises: Why is all this happening only in the Zoroastrian com­ munity? Have the Sikhs left wearing their turbans?Or have the Muslims forgottento pray the namaz?Has any­ one ever seen a Christiangoing to a mandir or a Hindu going to the church? No! Never! It is only in the Zoroastrian community that all this is happening and the root cause behind this is reli­ gious and communalignorance.

It was due to this ignorance that we lost our dear Iran long ago and it was due to this same element that those groups of Zarathushtis which fled to China and Europe after the conquest of Persia just disappeared withoutany trace. I think that we Parsis are facing

the same problemthat our forefathers faced a thousandyears ago and if we do not take some action immediately, we are bound to repeat history once again.

We need to do our own little bit to

help save our religion. Parentshaving infant childrencan start by taking their kids only to the fire-temples and to no other placeof worship. Parentscan read Shah Nameh stories to their children every night before going to bed. These stories will not only help the child learn more about his/her motherland Iran, but it will also help him/herto understand what is good and what is bad and how good alwaystriumphs over evil. The Shah Nameh stories are also available in English. Besidesall this, they can also teach their children simpleevery­ day prayersfrom the Khordeh Avesta and can also make it compulsory for everyone in the family to wear their sudreh-kusti, day and night!

This kind of teaching will slowly but

surelydevelop a kind of pride and af­ fection amongstZoroastrians for their Mazdayasni faith. And once this kind of bond is created,our children will take interest in our religion and help our community to survive.FARZANB.MAZDA

Dahanu

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66 Parsiana August 2000

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Mohammed Chhel

When we wereyoung, we were told

about the exploits of the magicianMohammed Chhel. Whether they were myths or facts one does not know.

As the story goes, one day Chhel was travelling in a train. A ticket examiner approachedhim and askedfor his ticket.

Chhel could not produce it. At the next station, Chhel was ordered to get down whichhe did.

Inspite of great efforts by the engine driver, his assistant and the guard,the train would not start. The station master who had joined them was a bit puzzled and even afraid.

Then, some passenger pointedout that the man who was askedto get down at the stationwas a famous magician and unlesshe was taken back on the train, it would not move.

So,Chhel was requestedby the rail­ way staff and the passengers to resume his journey. As soon as Chhel entered the compartment and took his seat, the train started moving.To the amaze­ ment of the ticket examinerand the co­ passengers, Chhel produced a bundle of railway tickets to different destinations.

Canany of your readers and espe­ cially Parsi magicians like 'Hayrat'tell us whether any authentic books have been written either in Gujarati(since he hailed from Gujarat)or in English or any other regionallanguage, touching on the life and exploitsof this legendary magician? BHJKHAJIM.ADENWALLA

Edited by Parinaz M. Gandhi

MATRIMONIAL

Parents are looking for a suitable boy for their highly educated, attractive, versatile, 25-year-old daughter, 5'4", Parsi mother, excellent family background of both families. Pleasewrite

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"Wishing a Happy and Prosperous New Year to the Parsee community"

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68 Parsiana August2000

HISTORY

Adogged fight

In the early 19th century some daring Parsis in Bombay earned the wrath of the British rulers whilst trying to save dogs

Gopinath Bhaleker

Parsisoffer specially preparedfood to the dogs. And they were pained to wit­ ness the forcible captureand annihila­ tion of their pets.

OnJune 6, 1832, the exterminators, accompanied by the police as usual, picked up dogs belongingto Parsis re­ siding in the Fort area. Despiteprotests against the unlawfulcapture and de­ mands for their release,the dog killers did not relent.Some altercations and manhandlingensued.

Itis recorded that in the 19th centurythe the population of taillessdogs! To express their resentmentand an­

Parsi communityexploded in a solitary Thispractice was ultimatelyaban- ger against the wanton carnage,100 to

incidence of violence on a trivialmatter doned for obvious reasons. Instead, stray 150 membersof the community came of dubious religious significance. Stray dogs werecaptured and herdedtogether together and resolved to observe a harta! dogs were a great menacein the days of on rented premisesbefore their final by closing down all provision stores and the East India Company, .----------------------------, establishments on the fol- andtheincidenttookplacelowingday, June 7. It was

in June 1832.decided to stop suppliesof

Govind NarayanMad- essential commodities,

kholkar, a Maharashtrianparticularly food items, to

chronicler who wrote inthe government personnel

Marathi and Gujarati, de-and the army stationed at

scribes the eventinhisColaba.

book entitledMumbaicheInthose days, suppliers

Varnan. Published inof mutton and other meats

1863, the volume containsto the Englishcommunity

authentic accountsof theand the army were Mus-

city of Bombay and itslims;the native Christians

peoples.provided bakery items, and

The dog menace, ac- neither communitywas in

cording to Madkholkar,favorof thehartal, though

72 Parsiana August 2000

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gentlemen tried to pacify the agitated rioters, but not all were in the mood to listen. The Company government began to panic. Themagistrate ordered the town manager to arrange for the anny to put down the riot. But it took considerable time for the town manager to respond.

Ultimately, the magistrate ordered the arrest of the rioterswho were kept in police custody.The town manager sum­ moned the army at about two or three in the afternoonas a standby, with instruc­ tions to shoot at sight if necessary. The rioters then carne to their senses and started dispersing. Two or three fleeing rioters were killed in the firing,while some of them were arrested and sen­ tenced to two to three years'prison terms.

For a few years, the Company gov­ ernment was wary about the Parsi com­ munity. But happily, there was no sup­ port for the riotersfrom the wealthy and educated Parsis.Thereafter, the Com­ pany government began to trust the community as before.

Interestingly, the above fracas was the only one of its kind in the historyof the Parsi communityin the island city of Bombay in the 19th century. The Pars is are basicallyknown to be peaceful and non-violent.

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74 Parsiana August 2000

RELIGION

What are Zoroastrian priests

doing on my Christmas card?

Ken R. Vincent

Artists usuallypicture the magi who honoredChrist at his birth as wealthy Arabs or kings but they were Zoroastrian priests, says the author

Who were the magi and why were they present at the birth of Jesus? Like muchinformation on historical Christianity, the answers have been known to schol­ ars for over a century, but not to

the general public. The magi were priests of the Zoroastrian religion,the only religionin the ancient world other than Juda­ ismthat worshipped one God. That alone might have deemed themagi worthy to be in the vanguard of gentiles to honor Jesus, but morespecifically, their prophet had also predicted the coming of future 'saviors.' It is often assumed that they add to the credibility of the story by their having been astrolo­ gers.More importantly, they too were lookingfor a savior. In the first century,their prophet Zoroaster was as widelyknown as the Buddha is today. Zoroas­ter was revered in the Roman West as a sage and in the East as a prophet.His theology influ­ enced Judaismfrom the time of Cyrus the Great, who was a follower of the religionof the magi, throughthe first century.

In fact,the closer one gets to the

time of Jesus, the more strongly Zoroaster's message becomesblended

. into Judaism.

Protestants who do not read the Jew­

ishApocryphal works such as the Book of Tobit miss this growinginfluence. The Zoroastrian influence is even grea­ ter in the Dead Sea Scrolls,including the Manual of Discipline and the War of the Sons of Light and the Sons of Dark­ ness.

In a very real way, the religion of

Zoroaster is the foundation of all West-

ern religion. Skeptical? About 1600- 600 BC (like Abraham and Moses, the actual dates of his life are unknown), Zoroaster had a series of revelations

Artist Pam Vincent's depiction of the magi on stained glass

from God, whom he calledAhura Mazda (the Wise Lord). See if these concepts sound familiar: God- Satan; good­ evil; light -darkness; archangels and angels-archdemons and demons; death

-judgment; heaven-hell: the resur­ rection of the body and life everlasting.

Thefirst person to preach these ideas wasn't a Jew, a Christianor a Moslem. The first was Zoroaster. There are two

differencesbetween the Abrahamicre­ ligions (Jewish,Christian and Moslem) and Zoroastrianism. One is that God is all good; evil comes from Satan, or, as Zoroastercalled him, the "De­

mon of the lie." While many

of his followers, especially modern ones, see Zoroaster as a pure monotheist preaching moral dualism rather than cos­ mic dualism, Zoroastrianism for the most part has been seen as cosmicdualism (God ver­ sus Satan).

According to Zoroaster, God needs humanityand the rest of his creation to over­ come evil.When this occurs, all humanity will be saved at the end of time. Then those humans who were more evil than good will have been puri­ fied in hell. Interestingly, the Universalist Christians also introduced this doctrine of uni­ versalistsalvation.

The basic concepts and the

imageryof Zoroaster's reli­ gion reveal a universalGod who is the God of Light, this being the oldest non anthropo­ morphic(not possessing hu­

man characteristics) view of God. Ac­ companyingGod are the archangels and the angels. Before the Jews met the magi, their religion did not possess these elements. Granted, these ideas are more clearly associated with modern-dayChristianity and Islam than they are with Rabbinic Judaism,but all the elements listed above were clearly present in the first century Jewish world of Jesus.

The God of the ancientJews was a tribalGod who was definitely anthro­ pomorphic: God walked in the gardenof

77Parsiana August 2000

Edenwith Adam and Eve. In Judaism before the Babylonian captivity, God did all the punishingof humanity. After theJews met the magi, Satan took over, as a fallen angel able to lead humanity

beparaphrases or the Hymns of Zoroas­ter.

Though the Persianempire came to

an end with the conquest of Alexander the Great, the int1uence of the Zoroas-

German interpretation of the magi on horseback

ter was nevertheless revered as a great teacher. It is said that in the library at

astray because of free will.

Alexandria, overamillion lineswere

Regarding the afterlife, Judaism is very vague until the Zoroastrian influ­ ence. The Books of Proverbsand Ecclesiastes both asked the question, "Why be good, if after death all wind up in the same place, Sheol?" Compare this to the post-Zoroastrian influenceevi­ dent in the story in the Gospel of Luke of the rich man and Lazarus. In this story, Sheol is now dividedinto para­ dise and punishment, and the two are separated by a great chasm.

After the Zoroastrian Persians let the

Jews go home from Babylon,a decree from Cyrus the Great was recorded ver­ batim intheBook ofEzra.Like Zoroaster'svisionof God, the Jewish God not only became God of the Uni­ verse, but God also became a lot nicer. This is especially true of the account in thelatter part of Isaiah, often called Second Isaiahbecause it appearsto have been writtenby a different author.Some of the latter portionsof Isaiah appear to

78 Parsiana August 2000

Why are the magi depicted at Christmas looking like Arab sheiks from the cast of the Broadway musical Kismen

trian religion did not. The religion re­ mained dominantin the Middle East, especiallyafter the Parthianstook over the Middle East in 235 BC. The Parthian empire lasted until 224 AD and was followed by the Sassanianempire which embraced Zoroastrianism as its statere­ ligion. The Sassanian empire continued until the Moslem conquest.

While the Zoroastrian religion was

not practised in the West, with the ex­ ception of the heresy Mi thraism, Zoroas-

attributed to Zoroaster.Actually,his

only knownauthentic composition are

hymns to God and is about as long as the

Gospel of Matthew.

It is importantto realize that at the

time of Jesus,the borders of the Roman

empire were locatedjust outside Pales­ tine in the Jordaniandesert, where the Parthian empirebegan. It is likely that· the magi were 'in the neighborhood' at the time of Jesus'birth.

The world of Jesus is a worldof

Zoroastrian ideas embedded in Juda­ ism: the good mind versus the evil mind; angels of light versus angels of dark­ ness; the idea that heaven is the reward if your good deeds outweighyour evil deeds; and that the angels are recording good and evil deeds.

The idea of evil as separate from God

wasreal to Jesus. He was tempted by Satan, he cast out demons. Most impor­ tantly. Jesus talked about God being a good and loving God. The Godof Jesus

in a very real way was no longer the God of Abraham.

Inthe psychological terms of Kohlberg'smoral development theory, the God of the ancient Hebrews in Gen­ esis was a God of pre-conventional morality: humanity was not to ask why,

in the story of those who came to honor Jesus, even though these other religions practised astrology and might have also 'followed a star.'

Inthe West it is forgottenthat until the rise of Islam, Christianity was the second largestreligionintheMiddle

An early mosiacof the magi shown with the correctattire

century. The persecution stopped when the Sassanians learnedthat the Chris­ tians in Persia were not Trinitarians, were considered hereticsby the Ortho­

but simply to obey God or be punished.

The God of Moses was a God of conven­

dox Byzantines and, therefore, were not

spies and sympathizers with the Byzan­

tional morality and conformity: these are the rules; obey them for your own good.

On the other hand, the God of Jesus,

like Zoroaster's view, is post-conven­

tional in its morality: God is universal goodness; one should speak and act from the heart. The God of Jesus is wholly good and is on our side for all time. We are to strive "tobe perfect as our heav­ enlyfather is perfect."

The worship of one God and the high moral level of the religionof the magi set them apart in the ancient world and made theirs a religion most similar to Judaism. Additionally, Zoroaster had predicted the coming of a savior. This places the Zoroastrian priests at the birth of Jesus. It also explainswhy priests from the Temple of Jupiter or from the Temple of Isis and Osiris,who were certainly in the region,are not included

80 Pars/ana August 2000

Early Christian

art and stories sometimes have two, four, or even 12 magi

East, behindZoroastrianism. If you wanted to make converts, to include the magi in the story of the birth of Jesus was a powerful entreeinto the Zoroas­ trian world. The secondcentury Arabic Gospel of the Infancywas very direct: "And it came to pass when the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a city in Judea, in the time of Herodthe King, the wise men came from the East ac­ cording to the prophecy of Zoroaster." Christianity was occasionally perse­ cuted by the Zoroastrian Sassanian kings until theCouncil of Niceain the fourth

tine enemy.

Today in the MiddleEast, there are still some Christians and Jews. There are even 12,000 Gnosticfollowers of John the Baptistin Iraq. Also, the Zoroastri­ ans are still with us. There are 60,000 Zoroastrians in Iran, about 100,000 in India (where they fled to get away from theMuslims who had conquered Iran), and another15,000 in North America. One thing that always puzzlesmodern Zoroastrians is why their priests, the magi(this is a Greek mispronunciation of the Persianword mobed, whichmeans priest), are depicted at Christmas look­ inglike Arab sheiksfrom the cast of the Broadway musical Kismet.

Thedevelopment of the magi in the art of the West is a story in itself.For the first thousand years, the magi were pic­ tured correctly in all-white Persian at

continued on page 198

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Under the auspices of the MAZDAYASNIE MONASTERIE and the ALL INDIA SHAH BEHRAM BAUG SOCIETY (for Scientific and Educational Research)

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AVESTA AND SCRIPTURAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT

BOOK RELEASEPROGRAMME: ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS IN AVESTAN TEXTS

BYPROF. DR. MEHER L. PAVRI

This department of the Zoroastrian College functions worldwide,headed by the dynamic Fr. Albert Nambiarparambil cmi.lts main func­ tion is to enablepersons from all coun­

On 18th June 2000,to celebrate the 74th Baj Anniversaryof Late Ustad

Saheb Behramshah NowrojiShroff specialfunction was held under the auspices of MAZDA Y ASNIE MONASTERIE in Bombayat the Bharda School Hall.

Despite heavy rain the function was

well attended.Dame Dr. Prof. Meher Master Moos President Zoroastrian College welcomed the distinguished Guests of Honourand the speakers. She spoke on the Life, Work, and Mission ofUstad Saheb; and the work of the Zoroastrian College,to prepare the people of this planet Earth for the advent of Shah Behram Varzavand Saheb.

Shepraised the work of Prof. Sam

Doctor, Head of the Avesta and Scrip­ tural Studies Department of the Col­ lege; for his excellentscholarship and mastery of ancient languages includ­ ing Avesta and Pazend; which he was teaching to the College students through this department as a Three years Diploma Certificate Course. Prof. SamDoctorgaveascholarlydiscourse on the subjectof the extant Pazend texts.

Shefurther praised the work of

Prof. Dr. Meher L. Pavri who was also lecturing in Zoroastrian Religious subjects at the Collegefor past over 12 years. Despite his physical difficulties of being nearly blind, yet with the capable help of his devoted wife Roshan, who had typed and correctedand re-written his manuscript of his originalPh.D. Thesis on the important

topical subjectof the teachings of the

Vendidad, Gathas and Yashts, he had succeeded in completing his thesis and now presentingit for public ben­ efit as a book.

His book is available at the Zoro­

astrian College Office above address by donation. Many other books are also available- requestplease list.

Dr. VirafDhalla, well-known for his original researchwork in Interfaith symbols of religionsand on Buddhist stupas and teachings of Lord Buddha, gave a very interesting talk on the subject of the importance of the teach­ ings of Asho Zarathushtra for the present day people. He is attached to the House of Tatas.

Dr. Sorab Arceiwallaand his gracious wife Nergishgraced the oc­

casion as Guests of HonourDr. Arceiwalla was consultant to the WHO and specialist in Water Purifi­ cation Technology. He has spent several years in Turkeyand other foreign postings.He gave a vivid short talk on the practical impor­ tance of Environment, Ecologyin presenttimes and the value of the teachings containedin the Vendidad and otherAvestan texts.

The book was formally released by Dr. Sorab Arceiwalla. Goodwill Messages were read from Dr. Behramshah D. Pithavala, who wrote an excellent Foreword for this rare book.

THE WORK OF THE INTER- FAITHPEACE STUDIES DEPARTMENT

tries of the world to come to India to

study the living Faiths; and functions as a role model for the study of peace­ ful relations betweenpeople of all faiths. Parsis hold a world recordof having no wars for past over one thou­ sand years; and they live in peace and harmony with people of all communi­ ties and religions.

Through this department the Col­ lege sponsorsthe organisation of in­ ternational conferences in collabora­ tion with other organisations. These include theWFIRC, WRPC amongst others. This year the MILLENNIUM INTERFAITH DIALOGUECON­

FERENCE was held in January2000 in Cochin. A delegation had attended to represent the college. Throughthis department the youth are encouraged to learntolerance for all faiths. Ervad Yazadi Karanjiaalso represented the Zoroastrian Collegeat this confer­ ence in Cochin headed by Justice Shamusuddin, retiredJudge ofKerala High Court. .

Through this department the Col­ lege also attends the conferences organised by other societies in India and foreign countriesto represent the Zoroastrian Faith. Since 1990 the St. Egidio communityconferences held in Italy and Belgium at which heads of religionsand heads of religious com­ munities/denominations are invited. ZoroastrianCollege President usually attends these conferences and wher­ ever possible she also takes a delega­ tion. In 1992, in Khazakhstan the first world conference for Spiritualism was

Courtesy Mr JamshedGuzder Advertisement

held by the President of the country and Zoroastrian College delegation was invited to attendfrom India. Also at the World Avesta Conferences held in Tajikistan, the Zoroastrian College is invitedto represent the Zoroastrian Faith from India. FROHAR FILMS Episode serial of 3 parts is on the Zoroastrian Collegework in Tajikistan, on 13/20/26Aug on Gurjari Channel 12.30-Ipm.

This year, the importantMillen­

.nium HEADS OF RELIGIONS

SUMMIT is being held in the

UNITED NATIONS GENERAL

ASSEMBLY from 27th to 3Ist Au­

gust; followed by the Heads of Na­ tions, Presidents and Prime Minis­ ters Summit on 6th- 8th September; to find ways and means of restoringPEACE to planetEarth. In the last year of the last Millennium 95 big

and small wars and breach of peace had takenplace in severalcountries. 1800 Heads of Religions have been invited from all countriesofthe world. From India the largest del­ egation, of 300 holy persons of all faiths is attending. Mostlythe Indian delegation comprisesofSadhujis and Swamjis of different Ashrams.His holiness, Dalai Lama represents the . Buddhists. From Rishikesh, Muniji Swami Chidanand Saraswati, PresidentParmarthNiketanand Swamiji Davananda Saraswati, President of Sri Gangadhareswar Trust are the main persons.The In­ dia Delegation is being headed by Past President Venkatraman and Dr. L. M. Singhvi and Dr. B. K. Modi, Chairman Mody Corpora­ tion with a specialAir India Charter flight takingthe group to the U.N. It

Left to Right: Mrs Aloo and Prof. Sam Doctor; Dr. Viraf Dhalla; Dame Dr. Prof. Meher Master Moos; Mrs Roshan and

Prof. Dr. Meher L. Pavri; Mrs Nergish Arceiwalla at the Book Release Functionwith Dr. Sohrab Arceiwalla releasingthe book on the extreme right.

Lower Photo: Left to Right: Kirghizia

Rep of B.B.C, Dr Meher Master

Moos, Past PresidentVenkatraman of India, Dr L. M. Singhvi, Former Indian High Commissioner in London with Sadhujis at Rishikesh

ishoped that India willlead the way for the countries of the world to­ wards Peace in the new Millennium.

It is satisfying that the Zoroas­ trian communityworldwide is also represented with Mobed Oshidara of Iran, ErvadGodrej Sidhwaof

Karachi, and Dasturji Jamaspasa,

Dasturji Firoze Kotwal, Dasturji

Nadershah Unwalaand Dame Dr.

Prof. MeherMaster Moos being invited to represent the Zoroastrian community.Four of the invitees are connected with the work of the Zo­ roastrianCollege; which indicates the measure of the globalrecogni­ tion for the significance of the work of the college for preparing the people of the world for the advent of SHAH BEHRAM VARAZAVAND SAHEB.

Thepreparatory meeting for the

U.N. Summit was held at Rishikesh in June. Of the Zoroastrian invitees only Dame Dr. Prof. Meher Master Moos had attended this conference.

COMMENT

Review the system

Entering a dokhma becomes a traumatic experience for the volunteer corpse-bearers at Calcutta

Adi Bapuji Rabadi

of our traditions is that no rites or cer­ emonies are performed after the clean­ ing processis completed. As far as my limited knowledge goes, an elaborate set of ceremonies have to be performed to reconsecrate the "cleaned" dokhma beforeit is used again. I do not by any means wish to apportionblame for this apparent breach of our ancient custom to anyone as we completely lack the infrastructure and facilities to recon­

The Parsi communityof Calcutta is fac­

ing a severe crisis due to variousprob­ lems related to disposal of dead bodies. The problemsfaced have been clearly spelt out in my letters dated December 24, 1999 to our revered Dasturs (Drs) Firoze Kotwaland Kaikhusroo Jamasp­ Asa. While on a visit to Bombay in January 2000, I took the opportunity to discussthe problems with Khojeste Mistree who, I was given to understand, was activelyengaged in resolvingand mitigating the problemsdue to the ab­ sence of vultures at the Bombay Doon­ gerwadi.

Featured here are copies of my letter and the response receivedby me from the two learned Dasturs as also from Mistree.

December 24, 1999 Manwant Dasturji Saheb

Subject: Dokhma of Caicutta city

I am a trustee of the D. B. Mehta Atash Adaran of Calcutta. I am writingthis letterto seek your benign guidanceand direction on a vitalissue concerning the community of Calcutta.

Our traditional ancientsystem of dokhmenashini, for which, as a devout Zoroastrian, I have great respect, is be­ set with some serious problems for dis­ posal of dead bodies of the Parsi inhab­ itants of Calcutta. The dokhma is situ­ ated in Beliaghata, a crowded area of the city. According to our old records, the dokhma was consecrated sometimebe­ tween190l and I 910. There are two towers of silence, one of which has completely fallen out of use and is mainly utilized for disposing of the bones of bodies consigned in the other dokhma which is in regularuse. On an average, about 12 to 15 bodies are placed in the dokhma in a calendaryear.

I am placingbelowthefollowing

facts for your kind information which I hope will be helpfulin providing your wise counselon the issues raised by a

sizeable section of the Parsi community

of Calcutta.

•There is a complete absence of vultures or any otherbirds of prey to consumethe bodieswhich lie rottingin the dokhma for weeks and months. Rats, cockroaches and insects are the only ones who nibble at rottingbodies. Our noble Parsi volun­ teers,who offer their services as nasses­ salars whenever required,describe the scene insidethe well as a ghastlysite. The stench of the decayingbodies is unbearable and causes a great deal of trauma for the volunteerswho enter it. It isreported that the bodies often slide over each other and it is a highly painful experience for the volunteers to see the bodies of their relatives and friends in this despicable state.

•The sun's rays can barely have access

to the inside of the well and Khorshed Nagirashni therefore has no contribu­ tion in dissipation of the bodies. To add to this problem, small trees with thick trunks have beensprouting inside the well which only contribute to reduce the effect of the sun's rays. Furthercompli­ cationsare created due to heavy show­ ers during the monsoonand accumula­ tion of rainwater. Attempts by our Parsi volunteers to cut the trees have not yielded the desired results.

•Every year, the dokhma trustees obtain from Bombay services of two trained nassessalars to clean the well, to remove the bones and remnantpieces of flesh, etc. The bigger piecesof bones are cut by a chura and then wrapped in mulmul and the bundles are consigned to the unused well or buried.These processes which have become a regular featurefor cleaning the dokhma create revulsion in theminds of those who are aware of it. It is hardly necessaryto state that the practices we are constrained to follow with blind faith appear to be totally contrary to all the practicesenjoined in our ancienttraditions for dokhmenashini. The most pathetic aspectof the breach

secrate the dokhma. With thelimited

number of our devoted mobedsahebs in Calcutta, performance of such elaborate rites is not a practical proposition.

•The area surrounding the Beliaghata

grounds which was full of open spaces some years back is now infested with tall buildingsin close vicinity. The resi­ dents of the higherfloors in the build­ ings can have an unrestricted view of the dokhma well and this also militates against our religious traditions and cus­ toms. For obvious reasons,I do not wish to elaborateon the consequences on our community's reputation if some of the residents decideto take up the issue of "pollution of the atmosphere" with the concernedauthorities in Calcutta.

In recentmonths, a sizeablesection

of the Zoroastrian community of Cal­ cutta has become aware of the various drawbacks in continuing to follow dokhmenashini in its presentstate. The Parsis of Calcutta numbering about 900 are deeply committed to maintain our unique separateidentity but at present they are distressed and confused on the vital issue of continuation of dokhmenashini. With greatreluctance, I have also come to the conclusion that the system needs to be reviewed.

Having tried to place the various as­ pects of the system in what I believe to be the correct perspective, I am seeking· in all humility and with great respect your esteemed guidance and advice onthefollowing questions:

•In the background of the circumstances in which we are placed, would you agree to the proposalto close down the dokhma and allowthe community to resort to burial?

•In case you do not agree with the pro­ posal to close down the dokhma, would you give us any suggestions to make the system more compatible and acceptable in keepingwith the changingethos of our present-day culture?

•As another alternative, would it be per-

•Our respected mobed sahebs have clari­ fied that they would not be able to per­ form the geh sarna, uthamna and chah­ rum ceremonies in case of those opting for burial.Would you advise them to reconsider their stand on this issue if all other customsand traditions are main­ tained for sachkar of the deceased(be­ fore)burial?

•Is disposalby electric crematorium an

allowable practice as an alternative to dokhmenashini or burial?

•Willthe performance of the four-day

ceremonies be permissible in the case of those Parsis whose bodies are disposed of in the electriccrematorium?

Besides your wise counsel on the above points, I would very much appre­ ciate if you can enlighten us on any proposals which you may consider to be within the orbit of our religiousprac­ tices and customswhich would provide a practical solution to overcomethe prob­ lems stated by me ...

I may also mention for your kind information that I have completed my navar and maratabceremoniesinthe

With Best Compliments From

E. A. Chindhy

INDUSTRIAL &

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early '40s in the strictestorthodox tradi­ tions at Navsari. I am originally a Bombay Parsi, having settledin Calcutta for the past 36 years. You will kindly also note that I am a member of the West Bengal Minorities Commission.

I have every confidence that your erudite response to the variouspoints raised in my letter will go a long way in erasing the Calcutta community's doubts about the credibility and religious sanc­ tity of our prevailingsystem and its modifications to suit our present-day needs.

With my grateful thanks and respect­ful regards, I remain,

Yours sincerely Adi Bapuji Rabadi

March 3 I, 2000 Dear Mr Rabadi

I am in receipt of your letters regarding dokhmenashini and I have learnt from Khojeste Mistree that you had met him in this regard a coupleof times. Khojesteis working on the project in Bombay for the proper functioning of the system, and so it is worthwhile to wait till itbears fruit. In the meantime, exposing the corpses to the cleansing rays of the sun (KhurshccdNigerishna) is the only al­ ternative for their disposal as laid down

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by the Zoroastrian religion.Thanking you

Yours sincerely Firoze M. Kotwal

April 11,2000

Dear ShethjiAdi Rabadi

I am in receipt of your registered letter.

As a prelate and custodian of the faith, it

is my concern to uphold and strengthenthe tenets, practicesand rites of our religion.In my view, the naturaldokhme­ nashini methodof disposal is in conso­ nance with our traditions and customs, and must be safeguarded at all costs.

Themethod of dokhmenashini com­ prises of the use of natural elements only, the decomposition of the corpses by natural scavengers, by exposing them to the direct rays of the sun at all times, and by effecting the cleaning with the natural wind withinthe expanse of the dokhma.

The entire processof disposal should

be undertaken in accordance with the ceremonial injunctions laid down by the Zoroastrianfaith. As a High Priest, it is my duty to safeguard the age-old pre­ cepts and practices of the faith and as such I cannot agree to burial and/or cremation.I cannot authorizethe priests to performthe first four days' ceremo-

nies if one opts for burial or cremation.

The Bombay ParsiPunchayet (BPP)

is facing the same problemson a much larger scale and the situationis very grave. The Doongerwadi Committee is seized with this problem and among other plans they are experimenting with the 'generation of ozone gas method' and 'microbe technology.' May I re­ questyour good self to write to the Punchayet for further details?

Trust I have made myself clear. May Ahura Mazda guide you and your col­ leagues in all (your)deliberations.

Kindest regardsand all best wishes

Yours sincerely

Kaikhusroo M. JamaspAsa

March 8, 2000 Dear Mr Rabadi

Thank you for your letter which was

awaiting my returnto the office.

As I mentioned to you when we met

in Bombay, some experiments are being currentlyundertaken in Bombay with regards to seekinga method to enable an accelerated decomposition of the body. The initialresults appear to be promis­ ing, though we shall only know for sure in another six weeks orso. In this method a chemical solution is appliedwhich enables the body to decomposefaster.

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The next experiment appertains to odor which in Bombay, due to an aver­ age of three deaths a day, is quite acute. Our experiment deals with the release of ozone gas in the environs of the dokhma. Again, the final resultsof this experi­ ment will be tabulatedby June 30.

Finally, we have to think in terms of

building an aviary wherein vultureswill be bred in captivity. This is a long-term solution which will take at least four years to execute. The Punchayet are doing a costinganalysis for this project currently.

In short, I will be in a better position

to guide you all, intelligently, in another three months or so.

With kind regards Yours sincerely Khojeste Mistree

I must admit that I am greatly disap­ pointed with the contentsof the replies received, which do not help in any way to overcomethe severe problemswe are facing. The letters from the Dastursre­ fer to KhorshedNagirashni as an impor­ tant factor in dissipating the corpses although I have clearlyspelt out in my letter the factor whichprevents the ap-

continued on page 178

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92 Parsiana August 2000

COMMENT

Debate but work

Consistency in religious instruction and interpretation would help the communityleave a lastinglegacy

for the coming generation, says the author

Ervad Zal Sethna

Iran and Indiawere very close for centu­ ries and shared common cultural and religious beliefs. Many Iraniankings had ruled partsof India, and trade and commerce existedbetween the two na­ tions from the dawn of civilization. Thus India was the obvious choice of our forefathers after the conquestof Iran in 652 AD by the Arabs when forced con­ version to Islam and persecution had made life intolerable. After the fall of the PersianEmpire due to the persecu­ tion of Zoroastrians in Iran, continuous emigration was recorded, but only in India did the Parsa people survive.This was singularly due to our principle of segregation as far as our religionand race were concerned. On other matters our record of integration with the native population was excellent. Throughout the Hindu,Moghul, and BritishRaj in India, we were respected for the fair­ ness, loyaltyand sense of duty with which we merged with the changing destiny of India. Even today we stand as an example to many countriesincluding Indiafor our skill of integration with nativecultures.

A great change in our thinkingand

our way of life came with our associa­ tion with the British.The change brought great financial benefits but damaged our Zoroastrian way of life for ever.

Major changes came due to the ur­ banization of the community and shift from agriculture to profession and in­ dustry. Mobeds who depended on the farm producedonated by the anjuman for theirdaily sustenance had to now rely upon the meager ashodad and they received little fees for their work. Un­ imaginable povertyin the mobcd com­ munity was the result. With poverty came the loss of mobcds' self-respect and dignity.

Over 25,000 Parsi and Iranian Zoro­

astrians today have made their homes in

94 Parsiana August 2000

the West. Almost with vengeancewe have taken the challenge of survival with the veryculture that threatened our existence only 100 years ago. We arc doing admirablywell. I believe that the Parsis in the West stand a better chance of survivalthan in India, if they arc prepared to follow in their fathers'foot­ stepsin preserving what they can, and make changeswherever necessary with­ outjeopardizing the Zoroastrian iden­ tityand racial integrity.

It appears that the Parsis in India arc

gradually being suckedinto the main­ stream of the sociological structure of the nation,obviously due to the influ­ ence of the environmental and cultural influence of the countryfor over I,300 years. A great majorityof the commu­ nity has startedbelieving in babas and other outsideagencies to give them material benefitsand spiritual comfort. Day by day they have acceptedthe at­ tire, the habits, the food and the lifestyle of the people around them. It has be­ come difficultto recognize many of us as Parsis from our appearances, atti­ tudes and behavior, demonstrating the loss of racial identity.

Both in India and abroad remarkable

efforts arc being made by well wishing and good spirited Zoroastrians. Youth congresses, religious education, mon­ etary help to mobcdsand housing arc all positive steps towards the fight for sur­ vival and will continueby the grace of Ahura Mazda, but more needs to be done.

Themobeds

Our community deserves to be proud of the way they have started to improve the conditions of moheds in India. Abroad, most of our mobedsgive honorary ser­ vice or arc compensated appropriately. Due to the acute shortage of mobeds in India, they are in the driving seat, espe-

cially some panthakiesof agiaries and atash behrams.This in some cases has resulted in extortion, poor service and substandard work. The disciplineof a mobed requireshim to lead a clean, simple, and contented life in the service of Ahura Mazda. If the mobedsstart behaving in a ruthlessand materialistic manner, then they will once again lose the respect and support of the commu­ nity and may have to face poverty as before. The way forwardis to strike a balance where the charges for the ser­ vices are reasonable and affordable by the anjuman, and where necessary the mobcds are subsidized from mobed funds. The present panthakysystem needsto be reviewed.

The whole systemcould begeared

on a cooperative society basis where the panthaky or the manageris rewarded with a good salary, and the balance of income fairlydistributed amongst the mobeds performing the ceremonies. It is very encouraging to see a gradual increase in the numbersof boys in both the madrcssasat Andhcri and Dadar, which will produce full-timemobcds to serve the needs of the community. But we will face a crisis if something is not done urgentlyto train mobeds to per­ form pavmahalrituals like ijashni, vendidad and nirangdin. We need at least 16 pairs or yozdathregar mobeds well trainedto keep this most ancient and sacred of Zoroastrian rituals on track, otherwisethe ordination of mobcds, barcshnum, navjotc and wed­ ding ceremonies, sachkar and otherri tu­ als where nirang is required will be athingof the past.

Religious education

Very great importanceis placed on giv­ ing religious education to our youth, and rightly so. Unfortunately today they are exposed to conflicting and inconsistent

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views from various scholars,sam with no religious background or knowledge of our faith.

Thephilological principles on which the former great linguists worked and translated the ancientlanguages like Avesta and Pahlavi are set aside,and all sorts of translations of our holy A vesta, some even obscene, are published with patheticignorance.

To stop this abuse we must followthe

Avesta dictionarycarefully prepared by Ervad KavasjiKanga. His commandof these ancient languages, his insight into the Zoroastrian faith (being a full-time mobed), and aboveall the unquestionable integrity and honesty appliedthroughout . the translations of our scripturesby this pious priest leaves no doubt in my mind that his works alone be used for transla tion and reference purposes. This will not only bring much. desired authority and consistency in the study of our scriptures, but will stop people who manipulate and twist the meanings of our holy scriptures to serve their own ends.

·rians accusing Zoroastrian kings of force­ ful conversions and they are groundless and without firm evidence. Ever since our final migrationto India some 1,300 years ago the principleof segregation has been strictlyobserved.

Christ told Paul to spread his net on the seven seas and catch as many fishes as he can. That clearly did not include the fishes already caught or, in other words, people alreadyfollowing one of

the universal faiths that came before Christianity. In religious terms there can be only one conversion: that of a non­ believer into a believer.

The basic principles of theology in

all the five universal faithsare the same, namely:

•Belief in one supremecreator

· •Immortality of the human soul

•Life after death

•The conceptof heaven and hell

•The day of judgment

•Theresurrection

Hence no conversion truly takes place if one denounceshisorherfaithfor

another. It onlyamounts to a change of

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The Zoroastrian faith does not promote conversion. Few and far are the refer­

ences made by Greek and Roman histo-

a badge with a different name.

Intermarriages

The mostdifficultissuefacingmany

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Zoroastrian families is how to deal with the issue of intermar­ riage. The real concernis not the intermarriage itself,where one has no control once Cupid has shot the arrow, but the offspring. With any intermarriage the religious and the racial identity of the child is undermined. In most cases the child is driven by the culture of the parent which is predominant where the child is born and brought up. Even though his/her navjotc is performed, in almost all cases childrenfrom inter­ marriages marry non-Zoroastrians, and at that stage, what appeared to be a problem finds its own solution,because the need and the will to convert their childreninto the Zoroastrian faith is no more there. There is no justification for changes to he made to the constitutions of our Zoroastrian institutions to accommodate non-Zoroastrian spouses and their children, where the very purposeis defeated at the end of the day.

Follow the Gathas

The holy Gathas of our Prophetarc the most profound and

sublime revelation of the secretofcreation.TheGathas

revealthe existence of the law of dualitywith the birthof two spirits, Spenta Mainyu and Angra Mainyu. Both the spirits are opposite in nature: one creates, the other destroys.Yct both are part and parcel of the master plan required for the existence of our finite universe. The Gathas explain the inner nature of both the spirits and their strengthsand weaknesses, followed by the ways in which they need to he tackled. The laws of retribution are spelled out and the laws of compensa­ tion in nature arc explained: That there is only one creator of the universe,Ahura Mazda (divinelight and divine wisdom)

and all thingsin the creation arc in accordance with His

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will. Through natureto nature's God is the golden mean of Zoroastrian be­ lief.

AhuraMazda is not Almighty

Some scholars, Zoroastrians and others, have claimedthat Ahura Mazda who is omnipresent and omniscient is not om­ nipotent. The reason, they say, is the existence of evil on this earth. They say that God with the help of mankind will defeat evil which, according to them, God is powerless to do, even thoughHe is ever present and all knowing. Can this as­ sumption be true? The existence of evil in God's creation is a dilemma which has baffled saints and sinners.To me the answers lie in the Ahunavad Catha. Zarathushtra reveals that the two twin spirits SpentaMainyu and Angra Mainyu were therefrom the beginning of time and will remaintill the end of time. Every­ where in our scriptures it is confirmed that Ahura Mazda is the sole creator of the universe and He rules with His absolute will and desire, that He is all powerful, ever present, and all knowing. This basic principle is accepted by the other four universal faiths i.e. Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Henceone may say that there is one supremereality, who is the creator, the preserver and the termi­ nator of the universe.

Angra Mainyu represents the force

of destruction or the negativeforce which brings forth natural disasters, death, disease,pain, sorrow and decay. Natural disasters like floods, earth­ quakes, storms and forest fires, though destructive, rejuvenate the earth, clear dead and decaying vegetationand breathenew life in the rivers and the earth. Where there is mortallife, death is a necessity. Can one imagine the population of the animal kingdom and mankind withoutthe cycle of life and death? Disease,pain and sorrowsarc mainlydue to man's ignorance to abide by nature'slaws. But withoutsorrow and joy, night and day, good and bad, lies and truth, summer and winter, love and hate, life and death, without these opposites our existence is not possible. Hence the negativeforces are there be­ cause they are necessaryto fulfil the destiny of the corporal world.

Then where is evil in the creation, is

it in the sun, the stars, the skies, the earth, the waters,the trees or in the fire? Does it exist in the vegetable or the animal kingdoms? If you look around, you will not find evil in the elements of nature or

anywhere else in God's creation.I be­ lieve that evil only exists in the human mind and nowhere else. Ahriman, the evil mind, is our enemy which we fight and reject with all our might. In every prayer of Zoroastrianism we pray that we will always keep to good thoughts, good words and good deeds and will turn away from bad thoughts, bad words and bad deeds so that evil will have no place and will be denied its existence. Evil is created by man, in his ignorance, arrogance and greed. Only men are the creators of evil and only they with wis­ dom and Ahura's grace will correct their actions to eradicate <?Vii. Nothing is good or bad but thinking makes it so, says Shakespeare.

The future

Our youth are showing great qualities ofleadershi p. With their entrepreneur­ ial spirit they have started successful businesses. Our girls have performed exceptionally well in all the spheres of life. A globalfund to assist our promising youngsters in trade, com­ merce, profession, sports, music and other productive activities should be established. Help them to prosper and bring back the greatness of our fore­ bears.

Age old argumentsabout intermar­

riage, conversion, rituals,and the de­ bates between the orthodox and there­ formists, give the Pars is an opportunity to communicate with their tribe with gusto, and they will continue to do so. The only drawback is that to some of us, especially our youngsters, it appears as maramari (feuds) creating disunity within the community. Healthy debates are the lifeblood of any intelligent and progressive community, but the time has come to move forward to do con­ structive work, so that our childrenand children's children canpreservethe

proud heritage of their gloriousfaith ·

and the identity of the Parsa race in the future.

Past presidentofthe ZoroastrianTrust Funds of Europe (ZTFE),Er­ vad Zal Nariman Sethna has for 30 years served as an honorarypriest in UK. An accountant by profession, he has led theZTFE's finance sub­

committee and mooted the inceptionof the association's libraryand New Premises Fund.

COMMENT

Udvada's sea-saw

The ingressof the sea into Udvadais a recurring phenomenon and not a new

occurrence, says the author

Dr Vispy M. Meher-Homji

between 1998-99 by the engineersof Ambica Irrigation Division, Navsari. These structures extend from Pirojsha Pallonji Mistry High Schoolin the south up to the J. J. Sanatorium in the north i.e. that part of the beach that is most vul­ nerable to sea erosion.During the se­ vere storm of the 1999 monsoon,when tideswere reported to be the highest in 50 years, the sea walls preventeddam­ age to the properties on the sea front

Wateras a theme cannot be dissociated from our sacred settlement, Udvada. Though the common beliefis that the name of the town is derived from "Untwada" where grazed the camels of the RajaofMandvi,thelateErvad Faramroz P. Mirza in his bookAhewali Iranshah (now translatedinto English

-The History of Holy Fire-Iranshah)

has given a different interpretation: The derivation is from Sanskrit"udan" (meaning water) and "vas" (place), im­ plying that the settlement was subject to periodic inundations, not unlike the situ­ ation today with invasionof seawater at the veryhigh tides with the wellsturning salty.Thanks to the generous donation from the London-based Jasavalas, former residentsof Udvada, a scheme has been inaugurated to provide good quality running water to the settlement from the nearby lake.

It is a common practice to make an

offering of coconut, sugar, rice, flowers to water bodies on Ava roz. This offer­ ing is by way of keeping water sources

perennial, accordingto Vada Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal.As to the inclusion of coconut in the offering, anotherexpla­ nation is that the fruit came to us floating over the waves as a gift from the sea. On

102 Parsiana August 2000

special festive occasionslike the Coco­ nut Day in Maharashtra, this gift is re­ turned to the sea.

Sea erosion

The boundary between landandsea

seldom remains stationary and Udvada is no exception. For the past few years, the sea has been moving landwards into south Gujarat and places like Udvada in Valsad districthave been severelyaf­ fectedby beach erosion.To control the advance of the sea, the late Padma Shri Homi Taleyarkhan launched the Save Udwada Trust in 1994 and subsequently worked out an agreementwith the Gov­ ernmentof Gujarat to construct suitable protective structures on the beach.

The CentralWaterandPowerRe­

search Station, Poona, was consultedto providea suitable designfor the wall. Under the leadership of Padma Shri Dr Zal S. Tarapore, formerdirector of the Research Station,the design was worked out througha computer-controlled model. Keepingin mind the cost factor and efficacyof the structure, the Station worked out six detachedwalls in the shapeof "rubble-mound structures."

Initially called"offshore breakwa­

ters," the six structures were constructed

including the High School, the Damanwala Dispensary, the J. J. Sana­ torium, the houses of mobedsand the fishermen's colony (mangelvad).

Underthe agreement workedout by

Taleyarkhan with the Government of Gujarat, the share of the Government in the cost of construction of the walls was 75 percent;the balance 25 percent is being raised by the Save Udwada Trust through donations. The total cost has come to about Rs 56 lakhs, covering a length of 600 meters (m) of the beach. Compare this cost with that of the re­ pairs to the 600 m length of verticalwall on Bombay's MarineDrive: Rs 11 crores, accordingto a report in The Indian Express.

Besidesproviding protection to the

properties, the breakwaters at Udvada also lead to beach building. Gradually, the breakwaters are getting coveredhy sand because the slope facingthe land is getting buried under the sand at a rate faster than the seawardslope. A part of the breakwateropposite the High School, the first to be constructed (in January1998), is already fully covered up by sand. A verticalwall like the one at the Marine Drive, besides being very expensive and requiring tetrapods, does not lead to beach nourishment like the breakwaters of Udvada. However,a drawback of the breakwaters is that they are flexible structures and need annual repairafter the high monsoon tides. The Save UdwadaTrust has there­ fore to raise funds for the annual repair to the walls.

Soil erosion

Besides sea erosion,Udvada beach also

faces the problemof!and erosion which is most activein the southern part of the beach -the areaopposite the Paradise Hotel and the former Dubash bungalow,

Offshore breakwaters protecting the sea front at high tide

saplin s; carts which will ferry sand away from the beach

Below (from left): Patel,Rana,

Temas Pando[ and Dastur KekobadDastur celebrating the completion of the sea wall project; new building on Mirza Streetthat accommo-

dates a memorial hall to mark the site where the sacred fire was housedin/742

now a property of the Sir Ratan Tata Institute (RTI). The monsoonflood water from the fields and the overflowfrom the Kolak lake that once (about 50 years ago) usedto find an outlet into the sea in the Sodphaliaarea(asuburbsouthofUdvada), now, underthe pressure ofmonsoonstorm water run-off, flows like a river eroding the sandy banks in the areaof the Paradise Hotel. Actually,this flood water used to come further northwards towardsthe Damanwala Dispensary aboutfour to five years ago and aggravatethe problem of sea erosion.However, traditional knowl­ edge carne into play and solved a part of the problem:the fishermen and other vil­ lagers made an outletfor the water of inundation by breaking open the sand dunes (in the area between Udvadaand Sodphalia). This has become an annual feature, providingmuch needed relief to the fishermen.

Now the Government wants to con­

struct a dam in this area at a cost of about

. four lakh rupees, as per a report in the

GujaratSamachar.

Entry of creek water

Last but not the least importantis the 'silent' problemof the entry of the Pariyali creek water into the town. Un­ like the erosion problemwherein the damage is visible, the silent advance of the creek and the increasing salinityin its wake needs urgent attention. The

105 Pars/ana August2000

Pariyali creek, north of the Gymkhana, floods the low lying land that extends up to the backyardof the Iranshah and theGlobeHotel with brackishwater at high tide. This lowlandalso gets inundated by rain water during the peak monsoon season. The increasing salinity in and around this lowland is a cause of great concern as the wells on its peripheryare turning salty.

Though the creek is located at a dis­

tance of over a kilometerfrom the Iranshah, if steps arc not taken now, the problem will assume serious propor­ tions in the decadesto come. A dam is being plannedover the creek; the blue­ print is awaited from the engineers. The cost of construction may be very high as the dam has to preventthe entry of seawater into the town while permitting the rainwaterto flow out, as otherwise the low lying land would be in waist­ deep water at the height of the monsoon.

Meanwhile, the Save Udwada Trust has launcheda plantation programwith a salt-tolerant mangrovespecies Salva­ dora persica (piluin Gujarati) to counter the threatof increasing salinity. At the moment the plantations are raised more or less on an experimental basis with the saplings providedhy the late Sohrab Godrej from his mangroveforest at Pirojshanagar (Vikhroli), and with the cooperation of the SocialForestry De­ partment of Navsari.Withfundsbe-

comingavailable with the Save Udwada Trust, thearea under themangrove plan­ tation would be increased to a scalethat wouldprovide protection againststrong tides,winds and even the extremeeven­ tualityof a cyclone. Moreover, the seeds of Salvadora are of economicimpor­ tanceas they yield an oil used by the cosmetic industry.Therefore the suc­ cess of the plantation in the long run would not only help in restoringenvi­ ronmental health in the vicinity of the Iranshah but wouldalso bring some economic benefitto the rural poor. (Do­ nations, by cheque in favor of "Save Udwada Trust" may be sent to B. H. Baldawala, co-chairman, 6/5 Spenta, B.

G. Kher Marg, Bombay 400006).

The completed sea wall projectof the Save UdvadaTrust was dedicatedto the people ofUdvadaon May 7, 2000. Central ministerKashiram Rana and the Government of Gujarat' s minister for water resources Narottambhai Patel unveiled the plaque commemorating the event.

Dr Vispy M. Meher-Homji, joint honorary sec­

retary of the Save Udwada Trust, retiredas director of re­ search at the French Institute of Scientific Research at Pondi­ cherry. He was the founder

and first deanof Pondicherry University's School of Ecology.

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continued from page 54

-who shared the dais, Morris had enu­ merated the basic objectives of the NCM which evaluatesthe progress of the mi­ norities in the union and the states and monitors the working of constitutional safeguards with special referenceto mi­ norities. The government is bound to put the recommendations of the NCM before Parliament, informedMorris.

"You arc asking me to walk through a minefield!" laughed Sethna when a member of the audiencesought his stand on intermarriage and the status of the non-Zoroastrian spouseand their chil­ dren. Referringto the reported referen­ dums held inMadras and Baroda, Sethna suggested that the community examine the issue in historical perspective, "un­ derstand the tenets of the faith: ours is a religion of choice."

An aggrieved Parsi from Devgadh in Surat districtspoke of his family's lone battle amid the surrounding hostile adivasis who reportedly burn and pil­ lage and are ready to kill, alleging that the mamlatdar is privy to their game. Only the World Zoroastrian Organisa­ tion and its vice president Dinshaw Tamboly has supported them, he claimed. Sethnasaidhewaspartially

aware of the trouble thoughthe NCM had not taken it up. "This is discrimina­ tion againstminorities. It must be taken up by the SuratParsi Panchayat with the Gujarat government," he opined advis­ ing KhushrooDevgadhvala to get the Press on his side.

"The problems(come) not from the

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The Zoroastrians of South Africa have maintainedthe customs and traditions of the community

Ruby P. Lilaowala

TheParsis of South Africa have been through high highsand low lows by way of racialprejudice, hostility, professional success, the strugglefor independence and change of regime and yet have re­ tained their individuality, traditions, fam­ ily values and, above all, religious con­ victions. Today they number 75 indi­ viduals, but within the next 30 to 35 years, there may be less than 20 Parsis left there after the elders pass on and the youngsters emigrate to North America or the UK. There may well come a time when the local population will tell their children, "Onceupon a time, there were some wonderfulpeople here called the Parsis ..."

In the secondhalf of the 19thcen­

tury, when travelling was done by steam­ ers over high seas, Parsisemigrated from India to faraway places like the US, Canada, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, East Africa, Zanzibarand of course, South Africa.Whereas in the West they are present today in sizeablenumbers, the Parsisof East Africa and Zanzibarhad to beat a retreat when the then Brit­ ishgovernment gave independence to East African countries.As the prospects of living safely underthe new regimes were not so bright,the Parsis of East Africa exercised their choice of emi­ gratingto the UK as they held British passports.

The situation was very differentin South Africa. At one stage, there were

nearly 175 Parsis in South Africa but today they are reduced to about 75 and almost half of theseare over 70 years

old. In fact, there are only 10 Parsi families in South Africa out of which six families live in Lenasia (a corruption of the term land-of-Asia) which lies just outside Johannesburg. They are almost one big happy family since they all live within two minutes' drivingdistance of each other. What is more, almost all youngsters seem to know our prayers, pray regularly, read and write Gujarati

108 ParsianaAugust 2000

and have great respect for their elders.

We had the honor and pleasureof visiting all these six families, thanks to

the kindnessand efforts of Sohrab and Mahrookh Shapurjeewho took us from one house to another. Between visits, we had lunch at the Shapurjees'cosy

residence and it was nice toseetheirfour

daughters helping in the kitchen,laying the table, even clearingit later, without allowing eithergranny or grandpa (Sohrab's parents)to lift a spoon. This is kelavni (training) at its best, which en­ sures that these beautiful ultra-modern girls will be happyin any family they marry into, in any part of the world.

We had reached Johannesburg al­

most at midnightand phoned Sohrab and Mahrookhthe next day to announceour arrival. They came at once to our hotel (Holiday Inn-Garden Court) and we sat in the coffeeshop, talking like old friends.Sohrab was born in South Af­ rica whereas Mahrookhwas a Bombay girl before she marriedand emigrated there 21years ago. Sohrab is an anesthe­tist while Mahrookhis an ophthalmic surgeon. In a light-hearted vein I asked them, "So Sohrab hits the patient on the head and then you operateon the eye... is that it?"to which Sohrab replied: "Howdid you know our secret?"

Their daughters Shahnaz, Zarin, Roxane and Yasmin go to private schools. They are interested in music and dance and take lessonsin drama. Sohrab'sparents Framroze and Khor­ shedbanuare both well over 80. Fram­ roze, like Johnny Walker gettingstron­ ger day by day, is extremelyactive for his age and does a lot of social work at the nearby community center. The couple has put in over four decadesof service in South Africa.Khorshedbanu was a schoolteacher. Today, she spends time in prayers, crochet work and reads her favorite Gujarati magazine Akhand­ Aanand. From time to time she meets her old friendsSheramaiBodhanwala

and Alamai Tavadia.

Of the Bodhanwala family, Dinshaw

Bodhanwala who went to South Africa in1901 with his parents at the age of three, died some time ago. He had mar­ ried in 1928 and had six children(four daughters and two sons).His wife ex­ pired in 1939. He married Sheramai in 1940 and this union bore one daughterand three sons. Like all Parsis of yore, Dinshaw had a large family of 10 chil­ dren.

WhenDinshaw and Sheramaiwere returning to India in 1942, their ship, the Tilava, was torpedoed on the high seas by a German submarine. They prayed as a familyfor the three days and three nights that they were in the water and were miraculously rescued. Sadly, they lost an infant son in this disaster.

At present Sheramai stays with her son Phiroze,his wife Farida and their sons Neville,Vaspan, Godrej and Navroze-aged between seven and 18. The other sons and daughtersof the Bodhanwala family are now settled in various parts of the world.

Phiroze is a textiledesigner whereas

Farida (nee Dum asia)is a graduate of St Xavier's College, Bombay,and teaches maths and scienceat a prestigious school in Johannesburg. As Farida could not get a residential permit to stay in South Africa after marriageshe, along with . Phiroze and the boys livedin Brazil for 15long years withthe result that they are fluent in the Portuguese language.They returned to South Africaabout eight years ago.

Khurshed Mancherjee and his wife Homai were a very devotedcouple. Homai, who expired a few months after I met her, was very old and frail. Khur­ shed is the son of the late Dinshaw Bodhanwala mentionedearlier. They have two childrenin South Africa (a son and daughter), who are unmarried; and another daughterDina who is married and settled in Lisbon. Dina showed us

Clockwise from top left: Lilaowala with the Shapurjees, Mancherjees,

some members of the Bodhanwala and Shapurjee families;with her husband Phiroze and Dr Dara Randeria (wearing hat)

photographs of her four daughters. They all look like beautyqueens. Two of them are married to Portuguese boys while the other two are single and working.

Alamai Tavadia, wife of the late Dara Tavadia (who functioned as an unoffi­ cial priest for the community) lives with her son Kekiand his wife Laxmi. Alamai' s daughterShireen Jagosh lives in Nova Scotia, Halifax.Shireen had come from Canada to visit and spend some time with her mother. Alamai' s other daughter, JasmineSohrab, is the manager of Gulf Air in London.

Minoo and Jeroo Aderjee are a very old and devoted couple. We were pleas­ antly surprisedto learn that Minoo is the brother of our friend the late Burjor Nagona, who died some time ago in Poona. Burjor was in charge of the li-

110 Parsiana August 2000

brary at the Poona Club.

Freny Ginwala is the Speakerof the

South African Parliament. In their free­ dom struggleagainst the white rule, Freny was in the forefrontof several activitiesof the African National Con­ gress. Freny'smother is over 90 years old and they stay in Cape Town. Freny'ssister Khorshed was South Africa'sen­ voy to Italy.

Justimagine! A communityof only 75 Parsisin South Africawith the two Ginwala ladies contributing so much to itssociety! Originally, the Ginwala fam­ ily owned cotton ginningand pressing factoriesin an adjoining Portuguese colony, but graduallythey settled in South Africa.

(Constraints of time preventedus from meeting Phiroshaw Camay,well­ known in political and trade unioncircles in the country.)

The lateNassarwan J. Randeria came to South Africa in 1895 to settle in Durban along with his brother Shapur. TheRanderias founded theUnited Ship­ ping Company, oneof the leadingclear-

ing and forwarding agents in South At­ rica. The company is now managed by Maneck Randeriaand his three sons, Naval, Rustom and Boman. Maneck and his sons with the exceptionof one, have all married non-Parsis.

Maneck's brother Dara marriedJer, a cancer research pathologist who died some time ago. Dara and Jer underwent an emotional trauma when Jer was ini­ tially denied a resident permit tojoin her husband in South Africa after marriage. Dara has recordedthis injustice before the Truth and Reconciliation Commis­ sion now chaired by Archbishop Des­ mond Tutu. They have one daughter,Perviz, who had met me when she was visiting Bombay. Dara is a noted oph­ thalmic surgeonwho still treasures his Morris Minorcar.

Rustom Jivanji was one of the earli­ est (some say the first) Parsi to arrive in South Africa in 1880.He soon became a successfulmerchant and true to our Parsi tradition, gave a lot in charity.He estab­ lished the Bai Jerbai RustomjiTrust in

continued on page 176

DEMOGRP,

Tl pregnantfigures?

The Tata Institute of Social Sciencessurvey of the community in Bombayfocuses on demographic statistics and other data

Arnavaz S. Mama

The Parsi population may be headed for demographic doom, but other than that the communityis reasonably comfort­able in terms of income,housing quality and educational levels, especially as compared to the generalpopulation of the country. Thispicture

emerges from Pars is of Mum­

bai: A Socio-Demographic Profile authored by Dr D. P. Singh and Dr V. Gowri on the basis of a survey undertaken by the Tata Instituteof Social Sciences(TISS) at the behest of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet

ers housing size, family numbers,age, income and expenditure, educationand occupation, diseaseand disability, atti­ tudes and perceptions of community members.

Anaverage household of three per­ sons (all India figure of 5.5) occupies 2.7 rooms. Two-thirds of these households report a monthly income rangingbe­ tween Rs 5,000-20,000. While over 15 percent reporteda monthly income below Rs 5,000, around 15 percent fell into incomebrackets above

less (as comparedto five percent of Indian women) and "the numberof births show a consistent decline while the num­ ber of deathsrecorded (is) threetimes higher than births," note the authors.

Thelow birthrate over time has re­ sulted in a community age structure where the population up to the age of 15 comprises10.4 percent (comparedto 35 percent in the national populationin the '91 census) while the 65 plus age-group constitutes 23.8 percent (comparedto five percent for the national popula­ tion).

"The trend in age composition shows

(BPP) in mid 1999. Singh: detailed

Bombay, the largest center profile

ofParsi habitation accountingPhoto: Arnavaz s.

for 70 percent of the commu- Marna

nity in India (as per the1991

20,000. Whileliteracy is almost universal, ahout 38.7 percent

are graduates and 11 percent have studied up to the master's

degree level. With a ratioof

that the proportionof young children is decliningover time. The decline in the proportionof young children(despite its already)low level, gives the impres­ sionthatprobablythefertilitylevel

census), once enjoyeda birthrate of 25 per 1,000- a level now being experi­ enced by India's generalpopulation - between 1901 and 1925. Since then it has been declining. By the mid 1940s it had fallen to 16.5. From 1951 onward the reportcites not the rate of birth and death but totalfigures so that five-yearly averages declinedfrom 928 births in 1951-55 to 370 by 1994-1997. The cor­

responding average figures for commu­

nity deaths rose from 864 in 1951-55to about 1,022 between 1974 and 1988 before decliningto 957 for the years 1994-1997. The difference between the numbers of births and deaths- indicat­ ing population growth or decline- has been changing from a positive 36 to a negative 587 over these years.

Against the background of this his­ torical data the surveycovered 6,596 householdsand a population of 20,423 persons livingin the major baugs and colonies as well as other residencesin 45 other areas of Greater Bombayand Thana (over 1,800 were not contactable or refused to cooperate). The report cov-

113 Parsiana August 2000

1,017females per I,000 males, "Parsi women enjoy Nature'slaw of (greater) longevity than men." The all-India sta­ tistic is 927 women to 1,000 men, ac­ cording to the 1991 census, reflecting the adverse discrimination women face, especiallyin northern parts of the coun­ try, notes the report.

These very plus points howeverseem to harbor the seedsof the negative growth rate that has bedevilled the community.

Over 40 percent of Parsi men and 30 percent of Parsi women remain unmar­

ried throughout their lives. Fifteen per­ cent of the surveyedhouseholds are of single people."The reason behindliv­ ing alone even in old age may be be­ cause of a strong feelingof individual­ ism with sound socioeconomiccondi­ tions," comment the authors.The aver­ age age of marriage (men 30.6 years, women 26.8) is said to be five to six years later than that of the Indian popu­ lation. At the end of their childbearing period (45 years) Parsi women average

1.54 children- well below replace­ ment level. Over 12 percentare child-

amongthe Parsis (had) reached below replacement level much earlier.The continuation of decline in the propor­ tion of young childrencan also be partly explainedas a secondary effect of smaller and smaller cohorts entering the reproductive ages and childrenborn to such cohort of womenwill be smaller in size because of low fertility. The net effect of such a processis that the pro­ portion of the children and also the pro­ portion in early adult ages reduces and the proportions in the olderadult ages and old ages increases."

Theauthors explain that three types of populations have been identified by demographers on the basis of which one can predict whether a given population will grow, decline or remain stationary. A progressive population has 40 percent of its members below the age of 15, 50 percent between15 and 49 and 10 per­ cent above 50. The relativefigures for a stationary population are 26.5 percent,

50.5 percent and 23 percentwhereas a regressive (declining) population has 20 percent, 50 percent and 30 percent

Madhya Pradesh Total 92 45 47 255 125 130 old and sick family members; an aver-Maharashtra Total 60501 29539 30962 56866 28002 28864 sion to the ideaofliving in ajoint family

Urban 59945 29221 30724 56230 27654 28576 coupled with aneconomic inability to

Rural 556 318 238 636 348 288 setup a decentindependent household; Meghalaya/ thelack of opportunity to find an appro-

Mizoram Total 13 13 0 3 2 priate match; low motivationto marry,

Orissa Total 10 6 4 4 3 1 giventhe social and family acceptance

Delhi Total 41 18 23 372 187 185 20,000, etc.Somesingle-memberhouse-

Lakshadweep Total 0 0 0 0 holds were foundlockedevenonre-

Pondicherry Total 3 2 0 0 0 peated visits and in some cases the re- Sources: Census of India,1981 andCensus of India1991 spondent was too old to comprehendthe questions and answercoherently,note

respectively. Accordingto the survey population was reportedly sufferingfrom the authors.

the currentfigures for Parsis in Bombay suchchronic diseases as hypertension, From an all-India figure of I, 11,791 are 10.4 percent, 42.2 percent, 47.4 per- arthritis, diabetes,heartdiseasesand Parsis in 195 I, the community declined cent respectively - a "mucholder" asthma with 95 percentof these patients over threedecades to 7 I ,630 in1981. structure even than that under the "re- being aged40andabove.Blindness, The 1991 census registered an increase gressive" model and hence the commu- deafness, physicalimpairment and men- by 4,752to76,382.Withnodetails nity is declining throughnatural causes. tal retardation were also reported. available to explain the increase, Singh "This type of age structure is generally How do the Parsissee themselves? told Parsiana that underenumeration found in the westerncountrieswhich Seventy percentconsidered themselves canaccount for five-10 percent of the experienced similartrends in birth and very religious,nearly29percentas- population figures. If that trend contin- deathrates," notes the report. sessed themselves as not very religious ues,there may be 80,000 Pars is in India

Over 34.4 percent of the Parsi popu- andone percent considered themselves by 2001(withabout55-60,000 in lation is occupied in service, 6.3 percent not religious. Over95 percent report- Bombay), note the authors even though

inbusiness, 12.6percent are students edly pray daily at home, while 15 per- theparameters they enumerate are all and 17percent are housewives. Twenty- cent also visit the fire-temples daily, 83 negative.

fivepercent live on pensionsand sav- percent reporting occasional visits. Singh, whospecialized in demo- ings. Nearly88 percentsaid they participate graphics from the International Institute Roughly 27 percent of the surveyed in almostevery religious ceremony. of PopulationStudies, Bombay (Malini

114 Pars/ana August 2000

Singulate Mean Age at Marriage Distribution of Parsi Population by Marital Status

40 70

31.2 30.1 30.6 60

30 50

25

20

15

101

40

30 - l

20

16.4

5 10

0 0

0.8 1.2

Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female MaleFemale Male Female MaleFemale1961 Census 1982 Census 1999 Census Never Married Married Widowed Divorced/

Separated

Distribution of Parsi Households by Distribution of Parsi Households by Number of Members Number of Rooms

2000 3600 i

1800

1799

3200

3096

en en

1600 - ---- -· ------ -- 2800

---------- ;-

.r:::

-m 1400

2400

5 1200 0

I I2000

01000 : 0

.0 .0

z

400 800

200 400

l3JL _ ---- --

0 0 ---

60--63 '

2 3 4 5 6 7 2 3 4

5 6+ No

response

Number of Members

Parsi Population in Districts of Maharashtra and Gujarat

Poona 5%

Other Districts of Maharashtra 2%

Valsad 7%

Ahmedabad 2%

Number of Rooms

Parsi Population in States of India

Other States of India 4%

Gujarat 17%

Maharashtra 79%

As the census enumerators outsideBombay are not familiar with the Parsi community

or its existence, the figures do not in several places correctly reflectthe Parsi population in these areas.

117 PtHS1ana Aup:1st 2000

119 Parsiana August 2000

RELIGION

COVER STORY

An old flame's new

The Seth Pherozeshah Ardeshir Patel Dar-e-meher enters the new millennium with a reconstructed elegant edifice

Hilla P. Guzder

Itis not far from the madding crowds. Andheri stationis just across the road, the heavy traffic ofGhodbunder Road (a strategic road link between Bombay and itssuburbs) rolls noisilyright outside the compound.

Yet, a short walk down a quiet drive­

way flanked by a landscaped garden

brings you to the elegantly curving steps of the newly reconstructed, tranquilSeth Pherozeshah ArdeshirPatel Dar-e-me­ her. Fiveregal flames (flambeaux) at the top proclaim its sanctified status, ex­ quisitelycolored stained glass panels shine in the sunlight.

Originally consecrated on May 19,

1908(roz Adar, mah Adar, AY 1277), the old structurehad developed danger­ ous cracks in the walls and other struc­ tural imbalances due in some measure to the seepageof water from the agiary'swell, states Adi M. Patel,chairman of the agiary trust. On April 26, 2000 (roz. Adar, mah Adar, AY1369), the atash

retreat

Stained glass, chandeliers and the sun pattern(above and alongside); the facade and its foliage; decorative figures (aboveleft) at the entrance

Photos: Homyar Mistry,Homi Prints

was reenthroned after performing the required vendidad,ijashnis, etc.

At the eveningjashan, HighPriests

(Drs) Firoze Kotwal and Hormazdyar Mirza were in attendance, with Ervads Aspandiar Dadachanji, Peshotan Mirza, Dinyar Vazifdar,Adil Bhesania and the agiary's panthakyKersi Katila amongst the 15 priests. High above the platform where they sat, three arched windows with stained glass picturesofZarathush­ tra, hands raised to the heavens, flanked by wingedbulls, augmented the aura of a house of prayer.A crushing press of devotees packed the hall, despite the stifling summer heat.

Speaking in Gujarati, Kotwal com­

mendedthe trustees of the agiaryfor the beautiful new edifice, stating that they had done the community a great service. The centenaryof the agiary, just eight years away, should also be celebrated "majestically," he said. In a countryofmillions,he noted, the Zoroastrians have kept their identity due in large measure to our atash behramsand agiaries. Kotwal traced the history of Iran's sacred fires, their preservationthroughthePesh­ dadian and Kayanian dynasties, etc and the subsequent destruction during vari­ ous alienconquests. He emphasized that though the physical body of agiarics may have been vandalized, the khore (spiritual body) can never be destroyed. Our ancestors havepreserved the Iranshah through trials and tribulations, he asserted,we have to follow in their footsteps and not become an enemy of the faith."The Mazdayasni din willnever be destroyed," he declared amidstcheers. Kotwal is also one of the agiary's trust-

From top:Priests and trustees; Patel felicitating Kotwal; at the

jashan

Photos: Hoshi Patel

122 Parsiana August2000

ees.

On the trust board, besides Patel and

Kotwal are seniormostDhunjishaMoos,

a retiredoptometris ., advocateHoshang Mirza and businessman Shaharouk Irani. Retired deputycommissioner of police Jal Contractor, who was a trusteeand was present at the function in a wheel­ chair, passed away on May19, 2000 after a protracted illness."The trustees have undertaken a herculean taskin rebuilding this wonderfuland elegant edifice," declaredmaster of ceremonies Meherangiz Siddikala.Flowersand mementos werepresented to the agiary' sarchitect, Jehanbux Billimoria, struc­ tural engineer Pheroze Ghadialli, con­ tractor Kharshed Antia, Mehernosh Siddikala who made the stained glass, Armin Patel who landscaped the gar­ den, the priests and the majordonors. A board in the hallrecords the largest donation of five lakh rupees from Freny

D. Irani in memoryof Dinshaji Irani,

followed by two and a quarter lakhs from Shahrukh J. Kathawalla, two lakhs from the Maneckbai P. B. Jeejeebhoy Deed of Settlement Fund, a lakh and a half each fromthe Pallonji ShapoorjiCharity Trust, from the Patel and Moos families and a host of others,including

the residents of the nearbyCama Park who chippedin with Rs l, 14,814.

''Your agiary is one of the finest I have seen in recent years," observed Malcolm Deboo of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE),speaking in response to chairmanPatel's open invi­ tation to the house.Interest in the faithis growing not only in India but in the West as well, added Deboo.

"Send your children to the World

Congress in Houstonthis December," thundered BombayParsi Punchayet trustee Rustom Tirandaz,also speaking from the house."Open up their vistas and vision. You will find that Zoroastri­ ans abroad, though modern in outlook, still maintain traditions with an electri­cal, not oil, flame, prayerbooks in En­ glish, etc."But let us not be swept away by modernization or broadmindedness and becomevictims of cosmopolitan­ ism, he declared.Together we can "push at obstacles and pull at opportunities that come our way."

A plaque on the outside of the agiary states that it was builtbyArdeshir

Bhicajee Patel (grandfather of the present chairman) in memory ofhis son Pheroze­ shah who died at a very young age. "We have tried to retain the style of the old

structure," explains architect Billimoria whose honoraryservices have included designing the Mhow, Vyara and Chikhli agiariesin the course of rebuilding/reno­ vation. The plaque has an afarganiu and flame elegantly etched into it, with a brief historyof the old agiary written into the flame, while the afarganiuholds details of the present."The agiary has been made larger to serve the needs of the growingParsi population of Andheri and other suburbs," enunciates Patel. Improvements include better ventilation and skylights, a collapsible stage (plat­ form) in the hall which can be pulled out to its required length or folded away when not in use, explains Billimoria. "When we build a monument, we should look to easy maintenance, keep it as maintenance free as possible," he re­ marks.

ThePersian figures on the facade were designedby Billimoria and were made not of stone but of fiber glass to reduce costs.Working as an architect in Iran for several years in the 1970s, Billimoriasays he has carefully observed Persian art and architectural featuresand has sought to create an atmosphere where "one feels closer to the religion." A brilliant mosaic of the sun embel­ lishes a verandah wall, the green and white flooring in the hall repeats the sun design, but in more muted colors. "The stained glass panels in the entrance I havedesigned to depicthoma, the mytho­ logical bird who guides the soul,sur­ rounded by the radiance of flowers.The stained glass windows in the hall, how­ ever, were entirelyMehernosh Siddi­ kala's design," he adds candidly,with Siddikala executing all stained glassat his workshop in Mahim.

Right behindthe Dar-e-meher

stands the Manecksha A. Patel Coop­ erative Housing Societywith 56 own­ ershipflats, constructed by the trust­ ees in 1997 and named after the present chairman's father. In the same sub­ urb, within the Salsette ParsisAsso­ ciationhousing complex at Andheri (East) is the Seth ArdeshirBhicajee PatelDadgah which was opened on January 23, 2000.

A 100 Years Heritage charm • New swimming pool • Unique Narrowest

Gauge Mountain Railway • Horse Rides and Cool Walks in the Rain Forest Pollution Free • VehiclesBanned

Lord's Central Hotel

MATHERAN 410102, INDIA

Phone G'2.148-3G'2.'2.8 t=a¥G'2.148-3G595 t.mai\'. \otd@ NS?\.n \.in

124 Parsiana August 2000

"Manashni, gavashni, kunashni (good thoughts, good words, good deeds) is coming back into fashion," Tirandaz had statedat the jashan. "We will rise like the proverbialphoenix. The age of Zoroastrianism is coming again," he prophesied, to euphoricapplause from the'dud\ence.

RELIGION

The benefaction of

theBanajis

The 291-year-old sacred fire of the Banaji Limji Agiarywas reenthroned after

major repairs to the structure

Hilla P. Guzder

"veterans," wove in and out to offer obeisance to the fire. "I have sat in the same chair,in the same corner ofthe hall and prayed almost daily for the past 73 years," said BPP chairmanJamshed Guzder.Addressing the audiencein simple, conversational Gujarati,Guzder narrated how his mother had initiated him into the agiary-going habit when he was a young boy whiling away a lazy Saturday afternoon. The first week she herself took him in the car, he recounted, the next Saturday she instructed him to go by himself! And so the habit stuck. "Teach your children to pray right from childhood," advisedGuzder. Ignore their initialprotestat all this fah-fah

When the Banaji Limji Agiary was

consecrated 291 yearsago, Bombay was no more than a sleepyarchipelago of seven fishingislands, buffeted by sea wind and waves. Its nearestsacred neigh­ bor, St Thomas' Cathedral, the oldest British churchin the town, opened nine years later, the other landmarks in its environs - Flora Fountain,Victoria Terminus, the High Court,etc- were built well over a century later!

Well-known in Parsi parlanceas Kate

(Fort)ni agiary, the Banaji Limji Agiary houses the oldest consecrated fire in Bombay. Installed on June 25, 1709 (roz Adar, mah Adar, AY I 078), over five lakh bois have been performed through its almost three centuries,as per Hoshang Wania, one of the trustees of the Agiary'sYejeshne,Gahambar and Jashan Funds. The present build­ ing, however, is 155 years old, having been inaugurated on Aprill5, 1845 (roz Bahram, mah Meher, AY 1214) after the great Fort fire of .1803 had caused much damage to the Agiary, destroying many old records of the Banajifamily as well, narrateauthors Marzban Giara and Dr Viraf Dhallain their slim book titled A Brief History of BanajiLimji Agiary published in April 2000 by the trustees to mark the completion of re­ pairs/renovation this year to the Agiary structure. The atash, which had been moved to an adjacentsmall room inside the boundarywall, was reinstalled on April 26, 2000 after the mandatory ijashnis, vendidad,etc were performed. The jashanon the occasion was led, despite his delicate health,by Dastur Meherji Meherjirana ofNavsari, who is alsoatrusteeofthe Yejeshne,Gahambar and Jashan Funds.

126 Parsiana August 2000

Trustee Adi Banajee,sonofthe

Agiary'sseniormost trustee Burjor,stated thatit was around '94-'95 that the com­ mittee first thought of repairing the roof which was in need of urgentattention and set about collecting funds. It was, how­ ever, a very generousdonation from busi­ nessman Dinshaw Mehta, one of the trustees of the BombayParsi Punchayet (BPP) that spurred the Agiary trustees into "carrying out the repairsin toto." Lauding the "excellent honoraryarchi­ tectural services" of PorusMaster, archi­ tect, of Porus Master and Associates, Banajee observed that the repairs spread over eight months tackled roof,walls, gumbaz and moheds'quarters and breathed beautification into the Agiary interior with new Knta stone laid over its old, uneven floor, while elegant arches and black granite pillarswith ornamental carving infuseda touch of ancient Persia. A tapestry, designed by Master and stitched by Shemaz Katrak(who charged only for the cost of materials), forms a canopy in the adarianhall, depicting in abstract, graphic and numerological rep­ resentations Ahura Mazda, Spenta Mainyu, Ameshaspands, fareshtas, etc. The motifs are derivedfrom the sculp­ tures and bas reliefsof the Achaemenian and Sassanian dynasties, according to Master.

Expressing joy at the renovations,

Dadi Banaji who has been a trusteefor 30 years and who is in indifferent health, stated at the inaugural function that it was his dearest wish to repair the Agiary in his lifetime. As mementos of appre­ ciation were beingpresentedto those associated with the Agiaryand its re­ pairs, a constantstreamofdevotees, many of them office-going Banaji Limji

(trouble) of praying,he counselled, and

persist for a month or two till the "desire to pray" takes root.

Also speaking in Gujarati, Ervad Godrej Panthakiwho has been associ­ ated with Banaji Limji Agiary for 39 yearsand has been the panthakyfor the last 16 years,thanked the trustees, fel­ low priests and workers of the Agiary for their support. He said that "despite difficulties," traditions and customs in the performance of ceremonies would be maintained. The book lists Maneck Jijina (with the Agiarysince 1947), Homi Dastur (Jamasp Asa), Kobad Gowadia, Rusi Kanga, Hoshang Jijina and Ashtad Rawji as the present full­ time mobeds.

Earlier, Ervad Framroze B. Panthaki

(1945-' 83), SorabjiGowadia ('45- '74), Nariman Panthaki(' 45-'69) and many others had served the Agiary for long periods.

Wania pointed outthat old records

showed that Banaji Limji had carried out communitywork from the Agiary, as the Parsi Punchayet was stillina nascent stage. Though the trustees have received no officialintimationofits heritage status,the government is said to haverecognizeditasahistorical monument, accordingtoa press clip­ ping reproduced bytheCalcutta Gavashni (June-July '89).Repairs had been carriedout within the parameters of aheritage structure, statedAdi Banajee, expressing his thanks to Cyrus

J. Guzder for his guidancein this be­ half.The numerous donors -Mehta, Meherwanji D. M. Jeejeebhoy Trust (through Jamshed Guzder), Adi Jehangir, JehangirH. C. Jehangir, Hoshang Bengali,PallonjiShapoorji

Over five lakh bois have beenperformed here over almost three centuries

128 Pars/anaAugust 2000

Portrait of OokerjeeC. M. Banaji, the renovatedhall and outside view of the BanajiLimji Agiary

Photos: Percy Karkaria,Homz Prints

Stained glass at the entrance and jashanin progress

Photos: Hilla Guzder

129Parsiana August 2000

Clockwise from left: BurjorBanajee (left) and Guzder;Dadi Banaji and Mehta; Master(left) with Guzder; Panthaki;Wania and Adi Banajee

Photos: Percy Karkaria,Homz Prints

Charity Trust, etc -were thankedfor their magnanimity,as also the numer­ ousanonymousdonorswhodropped their contributionsinto its repair fund box in the Agiary.(A substantial dona­ tionwasreceivedlaterfromtheBai Maneckbai P. B. Jeejeebhoy Deed of SettlementFund, according to Banajee.) A BriefHistorystates thatthe Agiary'sfounder,BanajiLimjiwas, according to the Parsi Prakash, Vol­ ume I, theson of LimjiRustomji Aspandyarji Asaji,an akabar (leader) of the Parsi community in Surat. Fired byaspiritofadventure,Banajileft Bhagwa-Dandi (in Surat district)to seek his fortune in Bombay310 years ago. After abrief stintwith the East India Company, he opened a firm by the name ofBanaji Limji, carrying on trade with such flourishing ports as Bharuch and Sanjan on the west coast,upto Madras and Burma (which he is said to have visitedpersonally)intheeast. Banaji soon rose to the status of Davar (dispenser of justice) and "the mer­ chant prince" of Bombay as he was said to be known, acted as treasurer of the

funds of the Parsi anjuman.

Thebooklet relates that after the Agiary was consecrated, Banaji Limji acquired theneighboring property by

130 Parsiana August 2000

purchasing it in the early 1700s from theEast India Companyat a public auction by paying"380 zirfin coins amounting toRs 328-8-8." The area in those days was called "adarian wadi." Banaji Mansion, located opposite the Agiary, was donated later by Sir Dinshaw Petit, first baronet.At the end ofBanaji Streetlay Cowasji Patel Street where, it is said, residedat one time the Governor of Bombay in a mansionowned by Patel, the governor's means of transportbeing a gaddi (cart) drawn by two fine bullocks!

Banaji Limji died in 1734 at the age of 80, having lived just long enough to celebrate the Agiary' s silver jubilee. His eldest son Behramji(1681-1753) ascended the seat of Davar, relinquish­ ing it later in favor of his brother Maneckji because of his long voyages away from India. The firm prospered under Behramji, Maneckji and young­ est brother Limji, with the purchaseof new ships and increased trade.The book states that Behramji'sfifth and young­ est son Cowasji 's sons consecrated the Cowasji BehramjiB anaji (Kadmi) Atash Behram on ThakurdwarRoad in 1845 in his memory.

During thetenureofManeckji's

grandson Dossabhai "the agiaryalmost became a madressa (seminary)," with Jamshedji EduljiBahmanji Jamaspasa being the head of the Agiary, trainingseveral yozdathregars (full fledged priests)who were invited to consecrateagiaries and dokhmasoutside Bombay.

After the catastrophe of 1803, the atash was temporarily shifted to the BaiSoonaiji Hirji Jivanji Readymoney Fire­ temple at Gowalia Tank. Funds were raised to rebuild the structure, with the Banaji, Davar and other well-knownfamilies contributing generously. Leg­ end has it that the poorer sectionsof the community subscribed their mite bythrowing into the foundation dozens of eggs and hundreds of mugs of toddy! 0f the Rs 23,000 collected, there remained after construction a surplusof Rs II ,034 which was placed into the custodyof the family patriarchFramji Kavasji Banaji who was an agriculturist, one of the founders of the Bombay Times (later The Timesof India) and a director of the GIP (Greater Indian Peninsula) rail­ way.

When Framji died in 1851, his widow

Bachubai mooted the idea of a trust which was formedas late as 1901, states the book. The Yejeshne and Gahambar TrustFund wasendowedearlierin 1875. The fire was reportedly shifted once again to the Langrana Agiaryin the Fort area to facilitate repairs. Electric lights and fans made their appearance as late as 1930. UstadBehramshah Shroff, it is said, used the Agiaryto give lectureson lim-e-Khshnoom.

Enterprising Banaji descendants also achieved great distinction in the indus­ trial and civic life of Bengal. A histori­ cal sketch of the Calcutta communityforwarded to Par-siana in 1988 by Phiroze Dustoor, then office manager

of the Calcutta Zoroas­ trian Community's Re­ ligious and Charity Funds, names Dadabhai Banaji as the first Parsi to arrive in Calcutta over 200 years ago. "An out­ standing scion,Rustomji Cowasji Banaji, founded Calcutta's first atash adaran in 1839," the ar­ticle narrated (see "The pillar of our existence," Parsiana, March 1988). His firm, Rustomji Turner and Company, opened a branch in China

and his numerousshipscarriedona

flourishing trade with that country. His sonManeckjee held the office of sheriff as well as municipal commissioner of Calcutta and was the Persian consul in that city for 20 years, recount Giara and Dhalla. (The trustees of the Banaji Limji Agiary are not connected in any way with the agiary in Calcutta and have no knowledge of the situation there, said AdiBanajee.)

Another Banajiscion,Sohrabji

Pestonji Framji,reportedly donated overfive-and-a-halflakh rupeesto make

Makers offme

jewellery

since

1936

132 ParsianaAugust 2000

Renovatedgumbaz

Photo: Percy Karkaria,Homz Prints

good the shortfall that arose towardsthe construction of the FramjiKavasji In­ stitute, Hall and Native GeneralLibrary at Dhobi Talao. The Banajis are linked by ties of blood and marriage to illustri­ ous families such as the Cowasji Jehangirs, the Dadyseths and the Wadias of Wadiaji Atas Bahram, notes A Brief History.

Of the presenttrustees,Burjor

Banajee's association with the Agiary

dates back almost 50 years. He was for many yearswith The Bombay Samachar, as printer/pub­ lisher and "the right hand man of Munchershaw Cama," states Adi who is with the Central Bank of Indiaasassistantmanager, DAD (disciplinary action department) at the head office atNariman Point. Aprovision in the trustdeed states that only membersof the Banaji family can become trustees. Dadi Banaji and his son

Jamshed are both architects, havingre­ cently shifted their firm Banaji and As­ sociatesfrom its long-time location at Alii Chambers in Fort to Andheri. Octo­ genarian Bachamai Rustomji Wadia is also a trustee.

Almost three centuries down in time,

the Agiary retainsits air of tranquility. The raucous shouts of the hawkers,the roar and rumble of traffic barelypen­ etrate its high walls.The sound ofsi­ lence is punctuated by the chirp of the birds, the bleating of goats and the ringing of the bells at the boi.

MYTH

The secret underhis skin

Rudyard Kipling

The rhinoceros who dared to eat the Parsi,s cake developed folds on its skin

Once upon a time, on an uninhabited island on the shores of the Red Sea, there lived a Parsi from whose hat the rays of the sun were reflected in more-than-ori­ ental splendor. And the Parsi lived by the Red Sea with nothing but his hat and his knife and a cooking stove of the kind that you must particularly never touch. And one day he took flour and water and currants and plums and sugar and things, and made himself one cake which was two feet across and three feet thick.

It was indeed a superior comestible(that's magic), and he put it on the stove because he was allowedto cook on that stove, and he baked it and he baked it till it was all done brownand smelt most sentimental. But just as he was going to cat it there came down to the beach from the altogether uninhabited interior one rhinoceroswith a horn on his nose, two piggy eyes, and few manners.

In those days the rhinoceros' skin fit­ ted him quite tight. Therewere no wrinkles in it anywhere. He looked exactlylike a Noah's Ark rhinoceros, but of course much bigger. All the same, he had no manners then, and he has no manners now, andhe never will have any manners. He said, 'How' and theParsileft that cake and climbed to the top of a palm tree with nothing on but his hat, from which the rays of the sun were alwaysreflected in more-than-oriental splendor. And the rhi­ noceros upset the oil stove with his nose, and the cake rolled on the sand, and he spiked that cake on the horn of his nose, and he ate it, and he went away, waving his tail, to the desolateand exclusively uninhabited interior which abuts on the island of Mazanderan, Socotra,and the promontories of the larger equinox.

Then the Parsi came downfromhis

palm tree and put the stove onits legs and recited the following sloka,which, as you have not heard, I will now proceed to relate:

"Them that takes cakes

Which the Parsi man bakes Makesdreadful mistakes."

134 Parsiana August 2000

Andthere was a great deal more in that than you wouldthink.

Because, five weeks later, there was a heat wave in the Red Sea, and everybody took off all the clothes they had. The Parsitook off his hat; but the rhinoceros took offhis skin and carried it over his shoulder as he came down to the beach to bathe. Inthosedays it buttoned underneath with three buttons and looked like a water­ proof. He said nothingwhatever about the Parsi's cake, because he had eaten it all; and he never had any manners,then, since, or henceforward. He waddled straight into the water and blew bubbles through his nose, leaving his skin on the beach.

Presently the Parsi came by and found

the skin, and he smiled one smile that ran all round his face two times.Then he danced threetimes round the skin and rubbed his hands. Then he went to his camp and filled his hat with cake crumbs, for the Parsi never ateanything but cake, and never swept out his camp. He took that skin, and he shook that skin, and he scrubbed that skin, and he rubbedthat skin just as full of old, dry, stale, tickly cake crumbsand some burnedcurrants as ever it could possihlyhold. Then heclimbed to the top of his palm tree and waited for the rhinoceros to come out ofthewater and put it on.

Andthe rhinoceros did. He buttonedit

y

up with the three buttons,and it tickled like cake crumbs in bed. Then he wanted to scratch, but thatmade it worse;and then he lay down on the sands and rolled and rolled and rolled, and every time he rolled the cake crumbs tickled him worse and worse and worse. Then he ran to the palm tree and rubbed and rubbed and rubbed himself againstit.

Herubbed so much and so hard that he

rubbed his skin into a great fold over his shoulders, and another fold underneath, where the buttonsused to be (but he rubbed the buttons off), and he rubbed some more folds over his legs.And it spoiled his temper,but it didn't make the least difference to the cake crumbs. They were inside his skin and they tickled. Sohewent home, very angry indeedand horribly scratchy; and from that day tothisevery rhinoceros has great foldsin his skin and a very bad temper,all on account of the cake crumbs inside.

But the Parsicamedownfromhis

palm tree, wearing his hat, from which the rays of the sun were reflectedin more­ than-oriental splendor, packedup his cook­ ing stove, and went away in the directionofOrotavo, Amygdala, the upland mead­ ows of Antananarivo, and the marshesof Sonaput.

Reprinted from Sanctuary Cub, VolXVI, No 7, January2000.

RELIGION

Parinaz M. Gandhi

The recent renovations to the Bhikha Behram Well have given a new lease of life to the 275-year-old heritage structure

Theyall come to quench their thirst... for water, for comfort, for solitude, or for communion with the presiding deity of the waters.To them, the Bhikha Behram Well has been serving as an oasisin the commotion and frenzyof downtown Bombay. Now that the Well, the overheadpavilion and the diva en-

.closure have been artfully restored,it is not only the regularpilgrims but the passersby too who stop to take notice of this grade I heritagestructure, the only Zoroastrian monument in Bombay to enjoy this distinction.

The trustees of the Bhikha Behram Well - senior trustee SooniJal Tara­ porevala as also the newly appointed trustees Burjor HormasjiAntia, Meher

136 Parsiana August 2000

Pheroze Dhanbhoora and Dr Viraf Jehangir Kapadia - were keen to get their precincts renovated so they thought it befitting to plan for the Well's 275th anniversary in March 2000. They ap­ proached Pallonji Mistry of ShapoorjiPallonji and Company(Private) Lim­ ited who consented to bear the entire cost of repairs. Sanctionfor renova­ tions, which had to be in the nature of reversible intervention, was sought from the Heritage Committee and conserva­ tion architect Kirti Unwalla was en­ trusted the job.

Evenbefore the repairscould be completed, a special function commenc­ing with a jashan was held on Jamshedi Navroz when a silver salverwas pre-

sented to Mistrytoacknowledgehis largesse.Also recalled at the function was the personal contribution of Sohrab Godrej, then chairman of the Godrej group of companies, who had made possiblethe beautification of the pre­ mises in1995 with pottedplants and hedges, and fresh saplings enhancing the erstwhile rustic ambience.The sal­ ver markedforhimwasreceivedin absentia by Pheroza Godrej. A 24-page booklet on the Bhikha Behram Well was released at the hands of Dinshaw Tamboly,managing trusteeof the World Zoroastrian Organisation Trustand

Photos of the Well by Homyar Mistry, Homz Prints

trustee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP). Later in the day, a feast for 1,000 poor people was organizedat the Dady­ seth AtashBahram, mention the trust­ ees.

"Bhikha BehramWelloccupiesa unique position in the life of every

Zoroastrian ...Its water is said to have a healing effect. Every day thousands of people irrespective of their caste and creed drink the water from thisWell

either in their offices orin their houses,"

notes an introduction from the trustees

in the booklet.Messages from some high priestsand BPP trustees are in­ cluded in this bookletwith BPP chair­ man JamshedGuzder acknowledging, "Frommy childhood I have a great attachmentto our sacred kuwa and I have got great inspirationby praying before the holy Well." Articleson the significance of water and a short history of the Well by Ervad (Dr) Rooyintan Peer and KhojesteMistree are the other highlightsof the booklet.

"This is almost a wishing Well,"

believes Kapadia who comes here daily, elaborating on how the flow of devo­ tees increases visiblyduring examina­ tion time. He knows of people who have fallen in love at this site and women, keen to bear a child, pray­

ing the Ava Nyaish for 40 consecutive days, later an­ nouncing glad tidings. Some orthodox Jains who require water for their religious cer­ emonies insist on carrying home water from this Well, he adds.

Dhanbhoora, whose vis­

its to the Well have in­ creased considerably since she took over as co-trustee conveys her surprisewhen an old lady told her that she

hasbeen daily coming to this site for the last several years. Impressed with the faith of many such people,she feels the trustees' efforts to raise funds and work for the renovationof the Well seem justified.

Nearly 300 Zoroastrians must be fre­ quenting this site during the course of a day, reportsKapadia saying he had once sat through the day to keep a count of the visitors.The attendance on Avan mah, Avan roz must he rising to I ,000, he estimates. With cartloads of water being supplied to offices and vendors in the Fort area, Kapadiaguesses that nearly 3,000 non-Parsis must be daily availing of this free water provision.

Thewater from this Well is potable, insistsKapadia, saying he has been consuming it daily for years. The clean­ liness of the Well water has been pos­ sible thanks to the largesseof Homi Dalal of National Chemistwho sup­ plies free potassiumpcrmanganate and bleachingpowder to cleansethe water every week, and Hoshang Bengali of Hom a Engineering Warks who under­ takes the cleaning of the entire Well once or twice a year, free of charge.The water is fully drainedout, the Well cleaned, and within two or threehours

Top (from left): Tamholy, Antia, Taraporevala,

Kapadia and P. Godrej Below: Pallonji

Mistry (left)receiving memento from Antia

the flow is back to its original level, says Kapadia.While Maneck Engineer,vice president (construction) of Godrej and Boyce has been requestedto take a sample of the Well water to get it tested at their laboratory, the feasibility of installing a filter plant is also being worked out.

Threeyears ago when the Rotary Club of Mumbai Sunrise had financedthe construction of a public toilet cum utility servicecenter in the vicinity, the trustees had sought legal intervention and the case went up to the Supreme Court which granted a stay on the use of the toilet. Thereafter the complex had remained shut. But recently with major road repair work in the Hutatma Chowk area, it was found that the toilet doors were open so the Trust had to send notices to the municipalcommissioner, law officerand ward officer after which the complexwas sealed once again, mentionsKapadia. Fortunately for the Bhikha Behram Well Trust, Antia, a senior partner in the legal firm of Mull a and Mullais one of the trustees.

The threat from the hawkersin the area who five years ago surrounded the structure from all sides had prompted the Trust to erectaboundary wall.

Every time the municipal van

came, the hawkers would come rushing into the Well precincts with their wares, recalls Kapadia.The eupho­ ria following the recent demo­ lition drive to evict unautho­ rized hawkers in the area was short-lived as the vendors have already startedcoming back. "Unfortunately, the hawkers are better organized than the Parsi community," declares Kapadia who has been involved in the day-to­

day affairs of this Trust for the last over 10 years, assisting then active trustee, the late Bejonji Engineer(father ofBPP trusteeDadi Engineer).

According to Kapadia, the Bhikha Behram Well Trustwas formed in 1955 after Engineerand Dadabhai Panday succeeded in preventing the Well from being scaled by the Bombay MunicipalCorporation which had issued direc­ tives for the closure of all private wells inthe city in the interestof better sanitary conditions. Since Engineer suc­ cessfu11y fought the case without charg­ ing a single paisa, he was inducted as a co-trustee by Panday who was a de-

138 Parsiana August 2000

Divas being lit at the refurbished enclosure on the occasionof' the Well's 275th anniversary celebrations

scendant of the founder'sfamily.

The founder BhikhajiBehramji Pan­ day, a wealthytrader,hadthisWell built in 1725 alongside a windmill which stood at the site of the present Western Railwayheadquarters,notesareport readied by Unwalla based on a Gujarati article whichhad appeared under"Mum­ bai YadonnoVarghodo"inlam-e­ Jam-shed. Travelers from near and far came in bullock carts to the millto grind their com, rice, bajri, etc to flour, resting in the meantime under the shade oflaburnum, gulmohur, jamun and mango treesthat surrounded the area.

The seawater reached right up to the windmill with black stoneboulders lined up along the beach. To provide water to the weary travelers this Well was sunk with a special water trough for the bullocks. Bhikhajideviated from the family business of small supplies trade withthe East IndiaCompany and opened a provisionscum imported liquorshop in the English Bazaar at MeadowsStreet, notes the article.

While there is no uncertainty that this Well was dug by Bhikhaji there are contradictory reportsas to the circum­ stances surrounding his life and how

the family acquiredPanday for its sur­ name. It is not thereforeclear whether it was Bhikhajior his grandfather Kharshedji Poncha who, while walk­ ing down from Bharuch to Bombay, was caught in an encounterwith the Marathas at the Fort of Pamerin Gujarat and detainedat fortress Pandeghad(whence the familyderived their sur­ name). Considered to be a Muslim he was waylaid by the Marathas but when he showed them the sudreh and kustion his body he was released by his captors and permittedto proceed on his jour­ ney.

140 ParSi317a AU(7LISt20DO

Overthe years the founder's succes­ sors have endeavored to maintain the Well as an object of charity."We are not here to make profit," claimsKapadia explaining how even PervezDumasia who has been giventhe contract to manage the diva sectionhas been told that he can price lamps at higher rates but there must be some available at two rupees each. "Garibonewastejag a rehvi joie (this place should be open for the poor too)."

The Bhikha Behram Well has in­ spired faith among some of the third and fourthgeneration regular devoteesever since it was made known that when the other wells in the area (sincesealed) were able to supply only brackish water due to the proximityof the sea, this Well has been blessed with a perennial source of sweet water. The Zoroastrian philosophy of 'the more you give, the more you get,' has beenadopted by this Well too.

Well enclosed

"Amodest and beautiful pavilion over the well structure," accordingto a re­ port readiedby Unwalla, was con­ structedaround 1954.Originally there

was a semi-open enclosure on the north­ ern face for lighting oil lamps. The pavilion designand supervision was undertaken by the late architectJ amshed Aga of Shapoorji N. Chandabhoyand

Despite the proximity of the sea, this Well has been blessed with a perennial source of sweet water

Company, she was given to understand, with Shapoorji Pallonjiserving as the builders. The cement concreteroofing over the diva enclosure, the cubicles for performing kusti, plus additional foli­ age to supplementthe greenery were thesubsequent devel opmen ts made pos­ sible by the donationfrom S. Godrej, notes Kapadia.

"Keeping in mind the history, archi­

tectural style and social relevanceof the structure," Unwallasubmitted a brief of the plannedrenovations to the Heri­ tage Committeewhichsanctionedall

her proposals, she relates. Thus a 4,000 litre tank where water can be accessed through taps was provided for on the outer peripheryof the wall on the west. The original 'jali'where garlands are hungwas substituted with one of glass reinforcedconcrete (GRC) to match the color and style of the pavilion.Its posi­ tion was furthershifted from the south to the west side.

Thestained glass work, where cracked, was restoredby Pervin Mistry who had also workedon the panels at the Bombay University. New leading, where required, was also used to stren­ gthen the delicate stainedglass which was reset in GRC speciallybrought down from Ahmedabad, discarding the original timberand reinforced cement concrete panels. A stainedglass frame of Zarathushtra is a new addition at the enclosure for the divas. The flooring around the well has been changed too. But the pavilion which includes stone columns and friezes only required clean­ ing with water and detergent. The reno­ vation project, its total cost working out to a little over 10 lakh rupees,was ex­ pected to be completedby end July 2000.

With Best Compliments Of

HOSHANG J. BUCHIA & CO

ENGINEERS & CONSTRUCTORS

4/24, Tata Mills Co-op Housing SocietyLtd Elphinstone Road, Bombay 400012

Tel: 4112539

142 Pars/ana August 2000

LAW

Legal lessons

His years at the Bar helped the authorgain insights into the litigiousnature of the Parsi community

Fali Nariman

"Parsi Law" is the personallaw of the citizens. That article said that the state Pars is just as there is a personallaw of sha11 endeavorto secure for the citizens the Hindus (Hindu Law),of the Mus- a uniform civil code throughout the ter­ lims (MuslimLaw), and of the Chris-ritory oflndia: not now but in the future, tians (ChristianLaw). Is there in India a and that the future had not yet arrived. personal Jaw - sometimes ca11edthe After 50 years and much dissensionthe Jaw of a person's religionwhich can future has sti11not arrived and conse­ govern only one particular section of quentlythe anomaly of personal laws people? Strangely, despite all that is said remain.

in our secularConstitution of India, the However, a slightly differentap-

answer is: Yes. proachwas takenin reference to cus- Any part of personallaw can of course toms (not personalJaws): the case con­

be modified or abrogated by statute i.e.eerned Parsis. In 1971 one Kekobad

by parliament or by state legislatures. Sidhwagifted a plot of land at Udvada Before our Constitution came into forcencar the main Atash Bchram to one on January28, 1950, there were a large MinocharPandole and the collector of number of Jaws- relating to marriage, Val sad grantedpermission to Pandoleto divorce, inheritance and the like- gov- build an agiary sometimein 1974. This erningdifferent classes of people livingwaschallenged by the UdvadaAnjuman in India-Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims and the High Priest. They reliedon a (also to some extent Parsis). Under the custom recognized in an award given by Fundamental Rightschapterof .--------------

the Constitution of India it was declared that all laws in force which infringedthe equality clause or which discriminated against women,or which dis­ criminated against any class only on the ground of religion, were void. Yet in 1952 a strongBench of the High Court of Bombay held that the Fundamental Rights chapter of the Constitution did not apply to personallaws be­ cause they were not "Jaws in force."

Only laws made by legisla­

tive bodies and applicable gen­ erally couldbe described as "laws in force," said the Bombay High Court, not personal laws.

The Court based its decision principally on the fact that our Constitution recognized and tol­ erated the existenceof personal

Dadabhai Naoroji in July 1883,in dis­ putes arisingout of the jurisdiction of differentpanthaks in Gujarat. The award had been affirmed by the former High Court of Baroda and had the force of Jaw. The contention was thatthePandoles could not proceed to construct an adarian within the limits of the Sanjan panthak where the main Atash Behram of the Parsis was situated without the express permission of the High Priest or the Anjuman of Udvada.

The Pandoles in responsepleaded that even if this was a custom sanctified by time it violatedtheirfundamental right underArticle 26 of the Constitu­ tion since all persons(which would in­ clude all Parsis too) had a fundamental right to establish and maintain religious institutions (whichwouldinclude agiaries). The right was subject only to public order, morality andhealth, not anybody's permission. Theconstitu­ tional issue was decidedin favor of the Pandoles and against the High Priestat Udvada by a Division Bench of the High Court of Gujarat in 1980 and an appeal was carried by the Udvada Anjuman to the Supreme Court. I recall that it was a Bench presidedover by the late Justice Fazal Ali who was hearing this matter, and althoughI had no connection with this case, he called me to the Court one day when it was being heard and

said that he had the highest re­

gard and respect for the Parsi community and that this was a matter which must be settled. I passed on the messageto Parsi counsel appearingon both sides (oneof them my first junior in Bombay, Bomi Zaiwalla, now a senior advocate) and with some goodwill the matter ultimately was settled, the constitutional question being bypassed. Con­ sent terms were.taken that in or­ der to maintain peace and har­ mony in the community, the Pandolcs formally applied for permission of the High Priest or the Anjumanin Udvada and it was recordedin the consent terms that such permission was duly granted by the Anjumanto Pan­ dole to construct an adarian ncar themain atash behram.

laws applicable to a sectionof

144 Pars/ana August 2000

j The constitutional position

therefore is: "Pre-1950 customs and usages which conflictwith fundamen­ tal rights granted by the Constitution were no longerrecognized after Janu­ ary 28, 1950 but personal laws of differ­ent sections of the community which existed beforethe Constitution came into force did not become void even if they were in conflictwith any provision in the Fundamental Rights chapter."

Some personal laws of the

Parsis had been incorporated into statute law: One of them was about marriageand divorce (which I will come to later). The other was a set of provi­ sions in the Indian Succes­

ries! We really could not boast of any personal law:i.e. the law of our religion from Persia.In course of time we adopted the Hindu system of governing (the caste): i.e. by a punchayet- or assem-

viceroy-in council. The councilcon­ sulted the judges at Bombay,but they refused the requestfor setting up a punchayetfor Parsis as a parallel court. Parsi personal law, such as it was, suf­ fered its first setback.

The absence of a suitablecodeof laws governing social relations amongst Parsis led to the rule of thumb adopted

by judges in India that Parsis in Bombay city were to be governed by the Common Law of England.Parsis outside Bombay in the districts(or the mofussil) were to be governedby cus­ tom and usage- and in its absenceby what the judge thoughtthe law should be: underthat delightfully vague En-

sion Act,1925 (Section

50- 56) prescribing spe- 1(-fpz

cial rules for intestate ··

succession for Parsis.

When aParsi died without

leaving a will, his wife and daugh-

ter onIy inherited one half of the share of his sons. In fact both in the horizontal and vertical lines of descentthe male took double the share of each female.

The ladies in thecommunity said:

"Sao matida ne singraugyach ke (Dothe males have horns on their heads)?" And the male members could only weakly say: "Hajee, hajee, pun matida na sing ra sarkarekari nakhya (Yes, but these hornswere removed by the gov­

bly of elders of the community.

' ) / glish phrase"justice, equity and good

/1 conscience."

But even this did not meet all situa­

tions. In 1853, one Pirojbai filed a peti­ tion against her husband Ardasher in the

Supreme Court of Bombay for restitu­ tion of conjugal rights: her husband had left her and she wanted him back.

Thecase is a standing examplefor Parsi wives: never ask a court to give you back your husband if he leaves you. There was no law in 1853 under which restitutionof conjugal rightscould be obtained by Parsis exceptperhaps under the ecclesiastical law of England.The question arguedbefore the SupremeCourt of Bombay in Pirojbai's case was

ernment)!" And how this was done!

Some associations had written to then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to equalize treatment of sons and daugh­ ters in relation to Parsi succession, but she always set her face (I think rightly)against any alteration in the personallaw of sections of people until there was unanimity amongst them.Unanimity only came in the late '80s and the Prime Minister was duly informed, and the law was altered (the request of almost all sections of the community) and from December 9, 1991 each male and fe­ male standingin the same degree took anequal share of inheritance.

The matida na singra hadbeen suc­ cessfullypulled out, withouta squeak

·from the community's male members!

Theeffect ofParsi law on Parsi soci­ ety was considerable in the early years of our sojourn in India, but not after British India got established. Over the years since waves of Zoroastrians ar­ rived in India we were invariably a law­ abiding group. The strange thinghow­ ever was that we were so without having any system oflaw for nearly nine centu-

The first real Punchayetwas the one

in Bombay. It was a court of justice and had the power to excommunicate from the'caste' any one who did not obey its decisions!Its authority was based nei­ ther on any statute nor even on personal law but on social sanction. In 1778, the Punchayet petitioned Governor Hornby of Bombay for legal authority to inflict punishment on offendersby"beating with the shoe." Surprising request. More surprisingstill was that it was granted! Errant Parsis were in fact beaten with shoes for misdemeanors. [This was per­ haps the origin of the phrase-"khasra parsay (You will be beaten withshoes)!"] Ten yearslater the Governmentof Bombay constituted an influential body of 12men as a Punchayet. They wielded great authority, but alas, only whilst its members lived. By the end of the 18th centurypanchayatiraj (of the Parsis)came to an end, puttingfinis to Parsirule

in India.

Attempts at revival were made in the middle of the last century for a formal mandate to be conferred on the Parsi

Punchayet. A petition was made to the

whether the Court could exerciseeccle­ siastical jurisdiction (which in England was limitedto Christians) where the parties were Parsis professing the Zoro­ astrianreligion. The chief justice of Bombay was a brave fellow: his name should be remembered: he was Sir Wil­ liam Yardley, probablythe first pro­ genitor of the modern activist judge of today. He lookedinto decisions for over a half century where the Court had per­ mitted non-Europeans and non-Chris­ tians to exercise this right of restitution of conjugal rights, and he issueda de­ cree. His colleague disagreed with the chief justice but under the then law the opinion of the seniorjudge in a Bench of two judges alwaysprevailed.

So on the basis of the opinion of the chiefjustice, the SupremeCourt ofBom­ bay, applying the ecclesiasticallaw of

England, decreed that Ardasher should take back Pirojbai to his home and treat her with "marital affectionand conjugal

kindness." But easiersaid than done.

Dear Ardasher had already taken an­ otherParsi woman into his home with

whom he had gone through (at that time

146 Parsiana August 2000

lawfully) a form of marriage.Rather than face the highly explosive situationof an altercation between two headstrong Parsi wives, Ardasher chose the less hazardous, but far more expensive course.He appealed to the judicial committee of the PrivyCouncil -the courtof last resort for litigation in British India. And he won. Unfortunately for Pirojbai, their Lordships of the Privy Council set aside the decree of the Supreme Court of Bombay and disregarding all precedent held that the ecclesiastical jurisdiction exercised by that Court under the charter could only be applied to Christians, not to Parsis.

This celebrated, but unfortunate, incidentunderscored the

need for a distinct set oflaws for Parsis, especially in personal matters like succession, marriage and divorce.

As a result of the efforts of what was then known as the ParsiLaw Association, a commission was set up under the chairmanship of a High Court judge, Sir Joseph Arnold (the High Court ofBombay had not been established by that time). The commission recommended a code of laws for the Parsis. It was on the basis of this commission's recommendations that the Parsi Intestate SuccessionAct and the Parsi Marriageand DivorceAct was passed in 1865.Itwas my leader Sir Jamsetjee Kanga who used to tell us that up to 1865 it was "customary" for a Parsi gentlemanof substance in Bombay to have more than one wife, and several mistresses, and hordes of children by them! This illicitproliferation of the community was to cease after September I, 1865 with the adventof the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act. When news got aroundthat the viceroy's councilwas considering an enactment compelling monogamy for Parsis (this was in or about June or July 1865) there was a rush to legitimize 'alliances' and 'families,' and, as Kanga used to say, it was a field day for the mobeds who were in great demand, proficiently performing hasty ceremo­ nies (at high fees!)right up to the midnightof August 31, 1865 a day, in case you don't know it, now reckonedin the Parsi calendar as doomsday for the Parsi male!

The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act 1865 was replaced in

1936. There were separate provisions made for groundsfor declaration of nullity of Parsi marriagesand for their dissol u­ ti on and for divorce. The provisions for divorce were limited and it was only in 1988 on the unanimous representation of the Parsicommunity that Parliament enacted an amendment to the 1936 Act enabling divorceto be granted by mutual consent.

One particular provision of the Parsi Marriageand Divorce

Act, 1936 is unique. It has no counterpart in the personal law of any other community. It is section52 which makesthe Parsi personal law of marriageand divorce "transportable." It says that a Parsi who has contracted a marriage underthe Act, even though such Parsi may change his or her religion or domicile, so long as his/herwife or husbandis alive and so long as such Parsi is lawfully not divorced from the wifeor husband or such marriage has not lawfullybeen declared null and void or dissolved undera decree of the ParsiMatrimonial Court under the Act, "shall remain bound by the provisions of the Act." This is one aspectof our personal law which is in a sensetruly transnational: the Parsi marriedunder the ParsiMarriage and Divorce Act carries this personal law of marriage,divorce, alimonyand maintenance with him wherever he goes.

But the particular provisionof the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act 1936. that is etched in my memory is section 36 which providesfor a suit for restitution of conjugal rights.

149 Parsiana August 2000

There's something so real in the taste of life.

Where a wife has desertedor without lawful cause ceased to cohabit with her husband, the husband may sue for resti­ tution of his conjugalrights (likewise the wife).

That case (Hirabaiv. Dhunjibhai) was arguedfor the defendanthusband by the great Pherozeshah Mehta,a fine, imposing advocate,every bit as impos­ ing as his statue at Bori Bunder outside the office of the Bombay Municipal Corporation. He was also a brilliant cross-examiner and a trifle pompous: since even though his chambers were just oppositethe High Court and he couldwalk across to Court, he would not. He came in his two-horse carriage like a king. However in this case the judge held that the question as to whether there was justification for a decree for restitution of conjugal rights was within the exclusive domain of the delegates. The system of delegatesis the last ves­ tige of the jury systemin India. The delegates at the time were made of stern stuff:they were not swayed by the per­ suasive advocacy of the great Mehta and they returned a verdict in favor of the wife viz. that there was good cause why sheshould not resume cohabitation with her husband.

·Progressives

All questions of fact in proceedings brought under the Parsi Marriage and DivorceAct 1936 arc to be determined by what is called the Parsi Chief Matri­ monial Court established at various places where there are clusters ofParsis like in Calcutta, Madras,Bombay, Delhi. A High Court judge has to try the cases aided by five delegates(before 1988 it used to be seven):testimony to our rap­ idly diminishing members.The delegates were always the most important people in the community and what is more, they always knew how importantthey were! I recall my dear father-in-law (of whom I was very fond) who was one of the delegates in the Bombay Parsi Chief Matrimonial Court. In my early days at the Bar I would see him proudly enter­ ing the sessions of the Parsi Matrimonial Court, and he was simply delighted to be a part of the solemnparaphernalia of Parsi justice.

One incident has remained etched in my memoryas a very youngjunior. It was a proceeding in the Parsi Chief Matrimo­ nial Court in Bombay before Justice Coyaji. It was my first brushwith 'justice'

-what was brought home to me quite

poignantly very early in my career was the extremevagueness of the term. Jus-

tice is a concept whichis by definition elusive. It is not the productof the intel­ lect butofthespirit. It representsan aspiration, a yearning for what is fine and good and noble. I think the nearest any­ one got to a definition was a very famous English Judge, Lord Denningwho died at 100 plus last year. He said that justice is no more than what right-thinking mem­ bers of the community believe to be fair: That is wherethe trouble starts.Because which member of a community will refuse to acknowledge that he is right thinking? Everybody believesthat he is right think­ ing. In fact, when I first joined the bar in Bombay 49 years ago, I, and others like me, used to sit around in courts to follow what was going on. It is very difficultat the beginning of one's career to follow anything at all in any court:there is a Jot of legal mumbo-jumbo unfamiliar to the Jay person and even to young lawyers.Some of us young lawyers when we had nowork elsewhere, used to sit in the Matri­ monial Court where no great depthof legal knowledge was required to follow its proceedings. And it was spicy and interesting as well! I remember seeing a Parsi husbandwho was suing his Parsi wife for restitution of conjugalrights. At that time I was not married and I thought

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that it takes all sorts of queer characters to make a world. Well, the wife in this case had cross-petitioned and asked the court for a divorce on groundsof the husband's mental cruelty.

The judge summedup very strongly in favor of the wife, that she should get a divorce.The delegates spurnedthe summingup. They were more impressed with the eloquence of the advocatefor the husband, who, incidentally, was a lady and they brought in their verdict which was that the woman should not get her divorce. The husband, they said, was entitledto his decree for restitution of conjugalrights and the woman was sent back into the arms of a person she regarded as a beast. There was literally much loud crying and wailing in court. The judge grew red in the face and fumed (silently, of course), the woman howled and pleaded. Nothingcould be done. The final judges of fact (the del­ egates) had spoken. The right-minded members of the community thought they had dispensedjustice. Very pleased with themselves they were. Very pleased too was the husband, who with the help of his mother, physically dragged the help­ less woman out of Court and took her to their home.

The very next session was about three or fourmonths later and this woman came back, her nose bandaged, with another petition ford i vorce on the ground (this time) of actualphysical cruelty. Because it appears that the husband had been so pleased with his successthat havingtaken his reluctantwife back to the househe celebrated his success by strapping her to a chair, and with the aid of his mother and a very large knife, literally cut of a small tip off her nose. You can almost hear the whoop ofjoy: "Nak kapi nakhvu, nwi two (let's hu­ miliate her by cutting ofT her nose)!"

The judge who tried the matter was the same judge as in the previous ses­ sion. He was almost gleeful when he heard the sordid story; he ignored the bandaged nose of the poor woman plain­ tiff and he turnedto the delegates and said (not in words but in looks), "See, I told you so." Of course, the lady got her divorce this time.

Here then we had two sets of "right­

minded" people-jury and judge - arriving at contradictory conclusions, both actingin the name of justice.

Ever since this incidentI confess that

I do not look too harshly on complaints about injustice,whetherintheHigh

Court or in the SupremeCourt. Gener­ ally justiceis a matter of perceptionon whichopinions can genuinely differ.

The High Court of Bombay said in a case concerning two Parsis where com­ mon law operated unjustly in the given case, that the judges could remedy the injustice of the situation.The case was an action for defamationbetween two Parsi families.

The facts are typicaland true to Parsi form. One Hirabai Mistry,her husband Jehangir and one Jamshcdjiwere resid­ ing in a flat in Bombay.One Dinshah Edulji Karkariaresided in a neighboring flat. And as Parsis arc wont, they quar­ reled one day in June 1921.Karkaria lodgeda complaint in the Presidency Magistrate's Court in Bombay against Hirabai and Jehangir and the person living with them, on charges of the of­ fence of assault and insult. Hirabaiit appears was quite a viragoand had physi­ cally assaultedher neighbor Karkaria. The magistrateadvised the partiesto settletheir differences and with a view to help in the settlement asked them to state their grievances. That was the big­ gest mistakehe made because Karkaria used the occasion to slander Hirabai. Pointing to Jamshedji who lived in the

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152 Parsiana August 2000

same flat as Hirabai and Jehangir, he said:"To ah bai no raklu!lo che ane te

!zoopoorvar kari apeesh [He (i.e. Jamshedji) is a paramorof this woman

Hirabai) and I will prove it]."

Hirabai promptly filed a criminal complaint againstKarkaria who failed to provethe truth of his statementincourt, and was found guilty of criminal defamation and was sentencedto pay a fine of Rs 50. Then the triumphant Hirabai filed a suit to recoverRs I 0,000 as damages for defamation against Karkaria. (Parsis in Bombayat this pe­ riod were the mostlitigious community till Bombaylawyersjacked up their fees!) Well Karkaria when served with thesummons in the suit promptly went to the bestlawyer in Bombay,Sir Jamshedji Kanga, who was then advocate-general. Kanga who knew his law betterthan any other lawyer of his time said "that under the common law of Englandwhich was applicable to Parsis the words though defamatory and slanderous were not actionable (as the plaintiffwas a woman) without proof of special damage and since special damagewas not suffered by Hirabai nor did she say so the suit was not maintainable." Kanga's advice proved right - but only in the first

court. An Englishjudge, Justice Crump, dismissed Hirabai's suit as not main­ tainable but the redoubtable Hirabai liti­ giousaseverwentinappeal. P.B. Vachha appeared for Hirabai. Vachhais remem­ bered affectionately in Bombay not so much for his advocacyas for his elo­ quent and delightful historyof the High Courtof Bombay published in its cente­ nary year (1962). Vachha pleaded be­ fore the Bench of two judgeswho heard the appeal that adulteryis a crime in India but not in England and that the English commonlaw had to be therefore adapted to suit Indiancircumstances. A division Bench of two English judges, chief justiceSir Amberson Marten and Justice Kemp, accepted his submission and overruledthe single judge. They said that even judges in Englandhadalready opined that the common law rule of no suit for slander by a woman except where special damage was suf­ fered was "barbarous," and so they would not applythis rule to India. TheDivision Bench decreed Hirabai'ssuit as main­ tainable eventhough no specialdamage had been pleaded.The slander was a particularly bad one (they said) sinceit imputed unchastity to the plaintiff with regard to a relation of her husbandwho

was staying in the same house and thus caused pain and anguishto Hirabai. The Court awarded her a sum of Rs 1,000 as damages which in the year 1926 was a really princely sum.

A little aside on defamation in which a Parsi solicitor and a Parsi journalist were involved and which I know some­ thing about since I was at the Bar when the suit for defamation was heard. There was in the '50s a Parsi journalist called Homi D'\ii. In his columns in the weekly Parsi newspaper Kaiser-1-Hindhe would lampoon and slander all and sundry.All the lampoons and slanders are long for­ gotten. But not the one which concerned Fardunji, a prominent Bombay solicitor in a very old and distinguished firm of solicitors in Bombay. Daji once wrote a column maligning this prominent Parsi. One clay Fardunjirushed into our cham­ ber carrying an article by D<. i and an­ grily showed ittoMurzban Mistry (who, next to Sir Jamshedji was the seniormost in our chamber). Murzbanread it and went blue in the face: because Daji had alleged in this article thatFardunji (who was a bachelor) used to sleep with his maid-servant in his flat. The woman was also named. "Shocking, shocking," said Murzban. "Youmust immediately file a

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154 Parsiana August 2000

suit for defamation."

So some of the juniors in the cham­

ber quickly prepared a plaintfor this dear old solicitorand the suit was filed in recordtime. When such a suit about such a scandalous defamation is filed there is generally an offer of a printed apology by the defendant and a payment of costs thrownaway by the plaintiff, and everyone goes home happy.

But not Daji. He was what you call a

nut.And a color fiend also. If he wore a green suit, he also wore a green shirt, green socks,green tie and even green shoes, and on the jacket of his coat he had his name sewn on(!): such a person could never be expected to apologize. And regrettably for Fardunji the suit had to go on because Daji pleadedjustifica­ tion and public interest(should a promi­ nent solicitorhaving confidences of cli­ ents have sexual relations with his maid servant?): That was the subject of the next article of Daji in the next issue of the weekly after the suit was filed!

The battlelines were drawn and the casehad to go on before a judge who

was recently elevatedfrom the Bar and who knew Daji and the solicitor. The judgethreatened,thenimplored,then

pleaded, with Daji to settle but Daii said

he "wantedjustice" and the case dragged on for a full month. Thecourt was a crowded one every single day and those who had never read the article came to know or at least suspect that a Parsi solicitorhadillicitrelationswithhis maid servant. In the witnessbox Daji improved on his storyandsaidthat Fardunji hadillicit relations also with anothermaidservantwhomhethen proceededalso to name. And the whole unedifying spectacle dragged on and on

-until it ended in sheer exasperation after six full weeks of hearing in court. The suit was finally withdrawnwith a makeshift halfhearted apology,which was not even published.

Thiscase has always been an object lesson for me. Defamation suits are a luxury and a dangerousluxury at that: they are too oftenfiled in a hurry, and repented only at leisure:and then it is too late.

To the query as to what effect Parsi lawhad on Parsi society in the years since the Constitution has been in place

i.e. the last 50 years, the answer is very little. With one important caveat.There is one area in which we really neededa

personal law, viz. in the sphere of adop­ tion. In a fast dwindling communityand

with an extremely low birthrate, this has been assuming greaterand greater im­ portance.

There did prevail amongst Parsis at one time a customoftakinga palak

(adopted) son. In the report of the com­ mission appointedto draft the Bill of Parsi IntestateSuccession in the year 1865, a suggestion had been made to make a provision to the effect"that nothing (herein contained) shall prevent the adoption by any Parsi of a palak in his lifetime nor the appointment after his death of a dharam putra for the performanceof his funeral ceremonies" but this was not finallyincorporated in the Bill. And the custom soon became extinct, especially after a decisionof the Bombay High Court in 1929- Kersaji

v. Kaikhushru where it wasobserved

that although in Baroda statea custom prevailed amongstParsis of taking a palak son, such a custom could not be recognizedin British India in respect of successionto immovable propertyin British India.

We Parsis have not had ageneral law

of adoption in India despite repeated representations only for one reasonthat Muslims by religionabhor adoption as it is prohibitedbythe Koran. For more

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156 Parsiana August 2000

thanI 00 years the Mohammedan law

i.e. the Mohammedan personal law does not recognizeadoption as a mode of filiation.

I recall that when I was with the government in the early'70s as one of its law officers I was summoned to give evidence before a committee of Parlia­ ment on the provisionsof the Adoption of ChildrenBill, 1972. I was closely questioned by many of the Muslimmem­ bers of that parliamentary committee and althoughthey listened very atten­ tively to my exposition of the law as proposed to be enacted and my state­ ment that it was only enabling, and did not compel any communityor section of a communityto adopt, a cross section of the Muslimsin Parliament at the time strongly opposed the Bill, and it was dropped. It has never been revived.

It was said of Lord Salisbury (who

succeeded Disraeli as Prime Minister) that it was his firm beliefthatonly uncontentious legislation shouldbe brought before Parliament. Ifit was con­ troversial, Englandwas not ready for it. This became known in later years as the Salisbury Rule. We in India in the matter of adoptionare inhibited by this Salisbury Rule and unfortunately Parsis have no

custom of adoption, much less personal law of adoption to fall back on.

I have writtenand spoken elsewhere about the dead hand of the Parsi law­ if it can be called law-with regard to conversion. You wi IIall recall that in the celebrated judgmentregarding Sooni Tata (1909), Sir DinshawDavar had held that the Zoroastrian religion not only permittedbut enjoined the conver­ sion of a person born in another religion and of non-Zoroastrian parents. But re­ lying on ancient usage,and also the resolution passedhy the Parsis in Bombay at a public meeting (in 1905) expressing strong disapproval of any conversions in "present times" and re­ solving "henceforth" not to admit even the childrenof Parsi fathers by alien mothers, he held that this well estab­ lished usage must overridethe tenets of the religion"as are shown to have fallen into desuetude and conflictwith ancient usage prevailing in the community."

Both this case and Bella'scase de­ cided by the Privy Council (in I 925) were concerned with properties of trusts made by Parsis in which non-Parsiscould not participate. Much as some people would like to see a battle in court re­ vived, I would not. It will split the com-

munity in India which is already greatly diminished. I think we must wait for a meaningful consensus. It will all come in time. It will not be in my lifetime but hopefully it will be in the lifetime of some of you. After all, customs are not eternal and ancient customs in a modern society are fast changing. Parsissettled in Canada and the United States have shown the way quietly,unobtrusively. Children of parents (one of whom is a non-Parsi) have been freelyadmitted intothe religion, and have fervently professed and practiced it.

We have to be patient.The watch­ word then is to remember and act like Lord Salisbury.

I said earlicrthattill Bombaylawyers

jacked up theirfees Parsis were a most litigious lot- there is ample testimony in the old law reports: and I conclude with a story of Sir Dinsha Mulla-the greatest, absolutely the greatest, jurist India ever produced. It is thanks to him that the personal law of the Hindus and of the Muslims has been put in almost codified form in his great textbookson the subject.

Did you know that he nearly never joined the Bar? He took literaturein collegeand wrote passablepoetry. But

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he thought a great deal about his poems. So he wrote a letter enclosing his best poems tothe poet laureateof England of the time, Lord AlfredTennyson, men­ tioning hisdilemma as to whether he should continueto write poetry or take to the law. Lord Tennyson wrote back in his own fine hand: "Dear Mr. Mulla, I thank you for your letter. I have read the poems you so kindly sent. I would ad­ vise you to take to the law. Yours Tennyson."

Well, Sir Dinsha was way before my time but his junior Reggie Mathalone, a dearfriend and senior colleague of mine who is also no more, related all this to me as well as the followingstory.

There was a Parsisolicitor in Bombay who will remain nameless who always advisedhis clients to litigate. He took a client - also a Parsiwith the racial propensity of theParsis of his time to go to court at the drop of a hat (Courtna darwajakhula che was frequently heard in societyin those days).This Parsi client was taken by his Parsi solicitor to Sir Dinsha Mulla for advice, in what looked like a totallyhopeless case. The great man listened to the facts and hewasquite an irritableperson and kept shaking his head "No, no, no - no case." Then the solicitor unraveled the

facts a little differently- again a nega­ tive response from Mulla: "No, no, no, there is no chancefor your suit to suc­ ceed." At last after some more attempts, Mulla realizedthat the solicitorwas hell-bent on filinga suit: so he put his head on one side,and asked the solici­ tor: "Tell me, is your client a sporting chap?" And the clientwho was listening all the while to all this conversation (rather gloomily) suddenly cheered up and said, "Yes, Sir, I am a sporting chap." "Then fire away," said Mulla. Sotheyfired away andfiled the suitwhich in due course wasdismissed with costs and "the sporting chap" was lighter byRs 10,000- a large sum of money in those days!The moral of the storythen is avoid litigationat all costs: if youcannot and you mustgo to court then be sure to engage a competent lawyerand don't complain that he is an expensive one: at the end of the day an incompetent lawyer will cost you more: in terms of anguish.

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MEDICINE

Rallying for relief and reforms

At the end of the last century Dr KaikhosruBahadurji battled discrimination against Indian doctorsin government service

Dr Mridula Ramanna

By the last decade of the 19th century, few Indians had qualifiedfor the Indian MedicalService (IMS). In Bombay presidency, most graduates of the Grant Medical Collegebegan their careersin government service but soon moved to morelucrative private practicewhen they found that they did

not progress beyond the

ranks of sub assistant sur­ geons whichwere poorly paid positions.

Twenty-one alumniof

the College had joined the IMS by 1885 where they faced British racial dis­ crimination. Surgeongen­ eral Hunter in a confiden­ tial note in 1879 noted that officers "shrank" from

ture. He also presented his views to the British Medical Association (BMA) and the East India Association.

The outcome of this representation was Hamilton's expressed opinion that expenditure on the IMS had to be cur­ tailed, but investigations were carried

out only in 1907. Lord Morley was able to halt expansion of the service and reform continued to be merely discussed. These discussions weakened the attraction of the IMS to potential recruitsin Britain and the serviceIndianized from 1915onwards.

Bahadurji was born into a poor Parsi family at Umra ncar Surat in 1860.After

the populationof the city.

In 1891 Bahadurjirepresented In­ dian mill owners at the International Congress of Hygiene and Demography and react.apaper on "Factory labor in the Indianspinning and weavingmills." He pointed out that the proposed legis­ lation to regulate factoryworking hours and restrictthe employment of women and childrenwere at the behest of manu­ facturers in Manchester and Lancashire and prejudicial to the interestoflndian cottonmanufacturers. The enervating climate and "intermittent nature" of the Indian workerrequired three times more employees in Indian factoriesthan in English factories. Further, this proposal would deny women the protection, com­ fort and means of livelihood the mills afforded them,and "turn them out to

seeking theadvice of In­

dian doctors, while the wives ofEuropeansde­

Bahadurji: active his primaryeducation there,

involvement in reforms he moved to Bombayfor

Photo courtesy: History of the his matriculationfromSt

starve on the open barren fields."

One great fact lost sight of, Bahadu1ji asserted, was that Indian mill hands did

clined to be treated by them. The opening of more posi­ tions to Indians in the medi-

Bombay Parsi Punchayet 1860-1960

Xavier's School. He passed the firstexamination in Arts of the Bombay University

not work all their lives in mills.They belonged to the agricultural class and worked in mills to make money to im­

cal and sanitary departments of thegov- and was awarded the Gilchrist scholar­

prove theirhomes,asprovedbythe

ernment and reform in the civilmedical servicewere the issues raised in the 1890s by Dr KaikhosruNasserwanji Bahadurji, a Bombay doctor.

The I 893 session of the Indian Na­

tional Congress unanimously accepted Bahadurji's proposals which were also endorsed by the Grant College Medical Society, the Bombay Presidency Asso­ ciation(BPA) and most of the local Press. The outcome of a public meeting organized under the aegis of the Asso­ ciation was a memorandum to the secre­ tary of state, Lord Hamilton in 1896. The cause received the support of the Indian medicalfraternity in Calcuttaand Madras.Funds were raised to aid the movement and Bahadurji went to En­ gland in 1896 as the representative of Indiandoctors, to presenttheir case be­ fore the Welby Commission which in­ quired into civil and military expendi-

162 Parsiana August 2000

ship in 1882 for higher studiesin Lon­ don. He passed the MB examination with distinction from University Col­ lege, London,and the Gilchrist trustees offered him funding for research. He firstworked at the Pasteur Instituteand then in Berlin under Professors Koch and Virchow. On his returnto London he took both the BS and MD degrees.He had the distinction of being the first MD from western India.

Back in India he was appointedpro­

fessor of clinical medicine and pharma­ cology at the Grant Medical College and honorary physicianat the Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Hospitalwhere a fever ward with eight patients was allotted to his care. This was to enable him to make a special study of Bombayfevers, so called because the medical authorities could not fathom the etiology or treat­ ment of the feversthat frequently struck

government report on Ratnagiri. Nor did they show any marked deterioration in health,as stated in the reportof the medical committee,Factory Commis­ sion, 1884. In his own experienceat J .J. Hospital, which all classes of labor had access to, he had not treateda single mill hand in the previousthree years. Identi­ ca11aws could only be appliedin identi­ cal casesand the conditions in India and England were not identical.

Bahadurji's views were countered

by Holt Hallettwho argued that protec­ tive legislation was refused to the great bulk of the working class, that work­ shops and factories were ina disgraceful condition and that women and children labored for 23 hours.Hallett even al­ leged that Bahadurji was a paid agent of the mill owners, but had to subsequently withdraw this remark and apologize. The new FactoryActdidcomeinto

effect the followingyear, but this effort of Bahadurji was a fore­ runner of his active in­ volvementin reform.

At the J. J. Hospital independent-minded Bahadurji soon devel­ oped serious differ- - ences with the senior- medical officer, Wellington Gray, and resigned in1893. He

set up private practice,

which grew to be ex­ tensive.

It was at the ninth session of the Indian National Congress

(INC) held at Lahore in 1893 that

Bahadurji first proposed medicalreform. He held that it concernedthe wider ques­ tions "ofefficiency and economy,of the rights and privileges of the sons of the country, of higher education, of the advancement of medical and sanitary sciences,which advancements have come to be recognized as a means of the civilization and material progressof a country." He showed that while arts collegesandengineeringschoolshad

Parsi Fever Hospital(building on the left with arches) at the MuncherjiKhareghat Colony

Photo courtesy: Bombay Parsi Punchayet

trained revenueofficers, high court judges, counsels and registrars, officersin the public works departmentand executive engineers, medical colleges had opened up positions no higherthan that of the assistant surgeon,on a salary ofRs 100 toRs 200 per month (pm). He

attributed this "dwarfed growth" to lack of op­ portunities and the "slave trade" carriedon by the department of the surgeon general by re­ fusing "emancipation" to medical graduates. The Public Service Com­ mission had not even thought of the medical services as a public ser­ vice.

At the 11th session of

the INC held at Poona,

- Bahadurji again pro- posed a resolution on

1 medicalreformwhich

·wassecondedbyM.

Tilak, DrsBhalchandra Krishna Bhatavadekar and Nil Rattan Sircar.It noted that its views regardingthe ur­ gency and suggested lines of reforms in the civiland military medical service had been endorsed in "influential medi­ cal and militarycircles." These views were thatthereshouldbeonlyone MilitaryMedicalService with two branches,onefor the Europeanarmy and another for native troops;and the Civil MedicalService should be consti-

From

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164 Parsiana August 2000

tuted as an independent servicerecruited fromIndia. Further, the status and claims of civil assistant surgeonsand hospital assistants required an open inquiry with a view to redressing their grievances.

In his address,Bahadurji reiterated that the proposals had been made not in a spirit of opposition but out of friendli­ ness and regard for good government. He pointedout the unjust differences of pay between the non-Christian civil hos­ pital assistant who received Rs 16 toRs

60 pm and his Christiancounterpart whosepay rose to Rs 750 pm. The government had specially createdthe uncovenanted medical service for the encouragement of non-military medical men, but this servicehad become a "dead letter." He cited the opinion of the Army and Navy Gazette that the state of the medical servicewas "utterly indefen­ sible from a militarystandpoint." He called for support both in Englandand in India.

On April 15, 1896, a public meeting was convenedby the BPA with Pherozeshah Mehta as chairman,D. E. Wacha, N. G. Chandavarkar and A.M. Dharamsi as secretaries. Mehtain his introductory remarkspointed out that the subjectaffected vital interests of the

public at large. The principal medical colleges were staffed by professors who couldbe spared by the army, not by specialists.

While outlining his proposals Baha­ durji contendeda complete separation of civil and militaryservices was ur­ gently required.And the time had come to introducean improvement in the po­ sition of assistant surgeons.He recalled that Sir Erskine Perry,president of the Board of Education, who had presided over the first prize distribution of Grant Medical College,had pointed out that the Collegewas not created for "govern­ mental or executive wants" but for pro­ moting the happiness of the peopleof India by the diffusion ofknowledge and the cultivation of western scienceand the art of medicine.

Bahadurji also referredto the fact that in 1868 the government had been compelled to accept the demand of the Army MedicalService (AMS) that ex­ pert and professorial appointments would be open to all. Yet the monopoly of all higher appointments by the IMS had been "allowed to creep in."He also alluded to what EarnestHart, editor of the British MedicalJournal had ob­ served when he visitedIndia in 1895:

that medical officers,elevated to high positions due to militaryrules, were unfit to be trusted with the health of the vast populationof India.

Bahadurji showed up the anomalies in the pay scales of medicalofficers. Sincemilitary men in civil appointments received salariesaccording to their mili­ tary ranks, they were more expensiveto government than their counterparts in other colleges. He also cited the opin­ ions of the governments of Madras and Bengal and the surgeongeneral with the War Office, who had declared them­ selves against the retentionof the semi­ military character of the civil medical service and the semi-civil character of the IMS. Lord Wolseley, commander­ in-chiefofthe Britisharmy, had recom­ mended a fusion of the two military services in 1886. Together with the es­ tablishment of station hospitals for na­ tive troops, this proposalwould mean a saving of 22 lakh rupees in the military department alone.

These proposals of Bahadurji were

supported by Drs Atmaram Pandurang and M. G. Deshmukh. A committee, comprising of Mehta, N. V. Gokhale,F.

M. Kanga, Drs S. W. Kane andBhatava­ dckar,Dharamsi and Wacha, was

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166 Parsiana August 2000

authorised to draft a memorandum. Dharamsinoted that the public was as much interested in the questionof medi­ cal reform as the medicalprofessions; and S. H. Hodiwalla remarked that the salary paid to the subordinate medicalservice personnel was the same as the pay advertised for a cook in The Times of India.

Subsequently, the MedicalReform

in India Committeewas set up with Pandurang as president; J. C. Lisboa and Cowasji Hormusji as vice presidents; Bhatavadekar, N.H. Choksyand Khoja Abdullaas secretaries; and A. P. Cama and Deshmukhas treasurers. The mem­ bers included Thomas Blaney, Bahadurji and other Bombay doctorsand repre­ sentatives from Ahmedabad, Kolhapur, Broach and Poona. The Indian Medical Reform Fund collected Rs 9,358; the largest contribution was of Rs 1,000 given by Sir DinshawPetit. The other donors were mainly doctors,including two women doctors, Ms Turkhud and Ms Treasurywala, a couple of hospital assistants, a few princely statesand mem­ bers of the public.

The memorandum was sent to the secretaryof state, dated July 24, 1896, under the signatures of Mehta, Wacha,

Chandavarkar and Dharamsi. Thebasis of the medicalreform scheme waslaid downas follows: theopening of higher grade appointments in the medicalre­ lief, sanitary and educational depart­ ments to proven merit and ability,in­ stead of reservingthem for membersof a particular service;and the amalgam­ ation of the two military services-the AMS and the IMS.

Surgeon generalHenry Cook reacted with hostilityto the memorandum. The meeting, he declared,was not only ir­ regularly convened, but represented a "diminutive section" of the community and there were many "misleading state­ ments." He maintained that there had not been enough qualifiedlocal doctors to replacethe IMS, and the number of successfulnative candidates had become "insignificant" despite"cheap educa­ tion." He concluded: "If nativeshad the caliber they would long ago have shownit by passinginto the service,by taking prizes at Netleyand by talent and origi­ nal research." As for Hart's criticalre­ marks, Cook contended that they were based on a three-month visit.

He maintained that there had been a fallin the army death rate,success in dealingwithepidemic diseases in

Hardwar and at other large fairs, where problems were of a character that would never occur in any Europeancountry. He held that the door was already open for the promotion of indigenous talent through competitive examinations which Indians did not avail of. He concluded that they belongedlargely to "unwarlike" races and that "few Asiaticscould be successfulas sanitary officers,ignorant as they are of conditions of things in civilized westerncountries."

A similar prejudiced response was that of the principal of the Lahore Medi­ cal College: "It would be a great hard­ ship inflicted on all Europeangovern­ ment servants ... if men were to be forced onthem and their families as medical attendantswhose education, religionand ideas on the family tie are so entirely contrary to their own. No similarcom­ pulsory invasion of native homes by Europeans would be tolerated by the governmentand on these two grounds alone and making every allowance for liberal ideas, the time had not yet arrived for the creation of a native civil medical service."

On the other hand, the IndianPress supported Bahadurji. The Gujarati, Na­ tive Opinion andThe Bombay Samachar

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heldthat he deserved credit for his efforts. The Indian Spectator pointed out that it was throughthe poorly paid hakims, vaids and assistantsurgeons that the masses had become acquaintedwith the superiority and efficacy of west­ ern medicine, and on their exertions dependedthe health of the majorityof the people. While the Mahratta com­ mended Bahadurji for bringing the ques­ tion of medical reform within the range of practicalpolitics, the Gujarati re­ ferred to the observation of Wolseley that "vested interests and prejudice" stood in the way of reform. The existing medical administration was ruinously costly, fatal to the development of indig­ enous talentand detrimental to the cause of scientific progress, besides beinga standing illustration of Dadabhai Naoroji'sobservation that India had made England the richest and greatest country in the world, while England had done the greatest possiblematerial in­ jury to India.

The antipathy between Indianand

European medicalprofessionals is ap­ parent in the controversy between the Indian Medical and SurgicalRe­ view, Bombay and The IndianMedical Record, Calcutta. The latter,which had

endorsed Bahadurji' s initiative and visit to Calcutta in 1895, changedits stance in 1896. It was the voice of The Medi­ cal Association, representing European and Eurasian interests, and at theirin­ sistence an Anglo- Indianrepresenta­ tive had been includedon the commit­ tee.

TheRecord claimed that Bahadurji carrieda brief only for a "microscopic minority" of medical men and there was a very strong feeling in the countrythat the time had not arrived for such "hasty action." It further maintained that two confidential notes had been received, condemningthe "tactics" of the Baha­ durji movement.

To the monopolists' argument that

the government had the right to choose its own officers, Bahadurjicountered that colleges and hospitalswere not be­ yond the concern of the taxpayer.

A second resolution was passed at a public meeting in Calcutta, proposingthat civil assistant surgeons be placed on the same footingas members of the Provincial Civil Service in its executive and judicial branches.Supporting the resolution, Surendranath Banerjee as­ serted that medicalreform was part of the larger question of wideremploy-

ment."We cannot affordto stand by as unconcernedspectators while the doc­ tors are fightingtheir battle and our battle." Describing the IMS as pioneers of western medicalscience in India, he noted that times had changedand a government not recognizing the signs and not able to adapt its policyto the newly developing environment was "wanting in elementarywisdom."

Banerjee particularly drew attention to the shabby treatmentof the assistant surgeon, who after five years of training began on a monthly salary of Rs 50 and "vegetated," while a high court judge received Rs 3,700 per month.

Petitions had been presentedto the Government of India about the griev­ ances of the assistant surgeon, without result. There was now hope of success. Paying tribute to Bahadurji,Banerjee said that Bahadurji had not only made the cause his own, "incurring many sac­ rifices," but had broughtthe issue within the range of practicalpolitics. As in Bombay, committees were set up to draft a memorandum and to raise funds.

A meeting of private medicalpracti­

tioners held in Madrasalso expressed support to Bahadurji.Under the leader­ shipofDrsV.VardapahNaidu,E.

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tion and fund were established.

Bahadurji left for Englandsoon af­ ter, to appear before the Welby Com­ mission. He sailed on the P&O'sS.S. Australia. A contemporary account records that he was seen off by a numberof his colleagues and friends and was overwhelmed by floral trib­ utes.

Onhis arrival in England, Bahadurjifirst addressed the East India Associa­ tion on "The medical needs of India." He showed how the existingsystem of medical administration was subversive of the declaredpolicy and aims of the government. Lord Reay (Governorof Bombay, 1885-1890) who presided, while agreeing that there could be no subject as important, drew attention to the need for women doctors and more hospitalsfor women.

Bahadurji also put forth his views at the annual meeting of the BMA held at Carlisle.He moved a resolution that the Civil Medical Service being exclusively reserved for the IMS, was wrong in prin­ ciple. Accordingto the special corre­ spondentof the Bombay Gazette, Bahadurji's speech was well received.

However, Dr. N. C. Mcnamara, ex-IMS and an authority on cholera, contendedthat while the government was anxious to encourage the appointment of Indians, there were questionsthat they could not "understand," involving pension, pay and "sanitary arrangements of various kinds." Another retired official, Sir Joseph Ewart maintained that part of the truth had been statedby Bahadurji, as the proposals of Sir Hugh Rose and Wolse­ ley for a civil medical servicehad been rejected by the government, for reasons best known to it. And a Scottish gradu­ atecould not see why he should be disqualified for a civil appointment in India, simplybecausehewasnotan

armyman.

No decision could be arrived at, and Bahadurji was asked to withdraw the motion, it being resolved to refer the matter to the Indian branchesof the BMA.

TheBritish Press discussedBahadur­ ji's proposals. While the Lancet pub­ lished his letter,it held that the issue raised many practical and administra­ tive considerations whichcould not be included within"the terms of any ab­ stract resolution."

The MedicalPressCircularheld

that the scheme was reasonable; the Daily Chronicle "expressed its sympa­ thy;"and the Pall Mall Gazette was most impressed by the economy that would be effectedif the reforms were implemented. Sir W. W. Hunter writ­ ing in The Times was confident that Bahadurji would get a fair bearing,though the Manchester Guardiancau­ tioned that it was an uphill task and the English might be indifferent.

TheIMS lobby in England includinghis bete noire,Gray, saw to it that Bahadurji's letter was not published by

the British Medical Journal.But theReview published the letter in which Bahadurji showedthat Gray had re­ versed his standsince 1868 when he had supportedchange.

The Royal Commission on Indian

Expenditure wasappointed in May 1895, under the chairmanship of Lord Reginald Welby, to inquire intothe administration and management of civil and military expenditure. Naoroji was the only Indianmember on the Com­ mission. He had moved a resolution in the firstsession of the INC, asking for such an inquiry. Wolseley, whopre­ ceded Bahadurji as a "witness," showed that the amalgamation of the Indian and

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AMS would bring a saving.

Bahadurji referred to the similar views of Lord Strathnairn and Wolseley

and Sir William Muir, director general,AMS and the Government of India, which in I 877 had qualified the double

administration as inefficient and ex­

travagant. He made a strong case for

recruits to the civil department being drawn from the "general profession." He contended that Indian graduates would fill the ordinary posts, but post­ graduates of Englishuniversities could be "imported" for senior appointments.

The British MedicalJournal declared that the civilmedical service couldnever be handed over to Indiangraduates, under British rule, and advised them toset up practice among the "teeming mil­ lions" without tryingto "grasp" govern­ ment appointments "so ably filled byEuropeans." Among the other Indian witnesses examinedby the Commis­ sion, WacharepresentedtheBPA,Gopal Krishna Gokhale, the Deccan Sabha, Banerjee, Bengal,and G. Subramania Aiyar, Madras.

Naoroji, WilliamWedderburn and Caine were all in disagreement with the

report submitted by the Commission. They not only maintained that the scope of the inquiry had been limited, but also

held that reasonable consideration had not been given to the evidencesubmit­ ted by Indians.

On Bahadurji's return to Bombay, he was made president of the Bombay Medical Union, Bombay Medical and Physical Society and appointed to the chair of the Syndicate in Medicine of the University of Bombay. He was soon fully involvedin combating the plague epidemic and worked day and night at the Parsi Fever Hospital, es­ tablished by the Parsi Punchayet. He raised funds for the maintenance of the Hospital which continued its op­ erations even after the other institu­ tions established duringthe epidemic had ceased to function.

Bahadurji died prematurely in I 898. At a meetingof the municipal corpora­ tion to mourn him, Mehtarecalled the many servicesthat he had rendered the city and the medicalprofession. He paid tribute to Bahadurji' s bri IIi antand prom­ ising career while Ibrahim Rahimtulla, chairman of the standing committee, described his death as a national loss.

, The question of reform was raised repeatedly in the following decaqes.In 1909,the BMU sent a memorandum to the secretary of state under the chair­ manship of Bhatavadekar, calling for

improvements and protesting against "the acknowledged anomalies and abuses of the existing monopolyof the IMS" whichhad "not onlycreated grave dissatisfactionbut had also affected the cause of science and public revenue." The BritishMedical Journal commen­ ted that genuine grievances were mixed up with demands that were "unreason­ able and impracticable."

The issue was againraised in the Imperial Legislative Council in 191 I through a resolution by N. Subba Rao and seconded by Gokhale, but the mo­ nopoly continued. The IMS Re-organi­ zation Committee of 1919 had only one Indian member, Sir T. B. Nariman, also a Bombay doctor.

It was with the MontagueChelmsford Reforms that some steps were taken to­ wards the realization of Bahadurji' s scheme. Medical service was made a trans­ ferred subject under the 1919 Act and the number of Indians in the IMS graduallyincreased in the inter war period.

Edited versionof a paper by Dr Mridula Ramanna published in the Journal of the UniversityofMumbai(Arts Number) 54 (1997). Dr Ramanna is the head of the department of history at the SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Bombay.

The Good Earth.

It won't get any better tomorrow, unless we act today...

The ills of industrialisation are making their presence felt. Result?

A mass exodus from the villages to the citiesinsearchofabellerliving. To accommodate the teemingpopulatiOn, evergreen forestsare g1ving way to ugly concrete structures.

The t1me is ripe to give back to MotherEarth what we have taken from her. Which has been an ongoingpractice with us at Tataslor decades. By planting more trees. Turning wastelands into greenbelts. Conserving the soil. Installing cleansing devices. And even gomg to the extent of planting woods in city centres.

Because we believe that what comes from Nature must go back to Nature many ., times over.

174 Parsiana August 2000

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memory of his late wife which was open to persons of all creeds. He also founded the Rustomji Library.

There are only 10 Parsi families in South Africa out of which six families live just outside Johannesburg

During the days when Gandhijiwas in South Africa,he was attacked by an angry mob. Gandhiji would have died then had notJivanji intervened and saved young Mohandas' life. Because of this incident, the two becamelifelong friends. Today, in South Africa,people (even the locals)remember Jivanji as the "Parsi Rustomji" who saved Gandhiji'slife. He died in 1924.

The Parsis of SouthAfrica touched me with their warmth and conquered me with their love. I lingered over each parting,unable to express the profoundemotions that moved me as I huggedthe ladies and shook hands with the gentlemen. My South Africanadventure is over but I pray that the turningwheel of time will take me back to this lovely place.

"Whom shalt Thou send, 0 Mazda, to protect Us all, when Untruth threatensus with hate, Other than Thine own Fire and Thy Love?

Whenboth these are roused within our hearts, Asa shallbe fulfilled, 0 Ahura;-

May my Soul realize this Sacred Truth. "

Translation by I. J. Taraporewala of Yasna 46.7 of UstavaitiGatha, 4.7

176 Parsiana August 2000

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plication of Khorshed Nagirashni from contributing in any way towards quick dissipation of the corpses.The reply emphasizesthat our traditions and cus­ toms, which are undertaken "in accor­ dance with the ceremonial injunctions laid down by the Zoroastrian faith," have to be preserved at all costs.Itis also mentioned that some experiments are being tried out to quicklydecompose the corpsesthrough "microbe technol­ ogy." To minimize the stench of rotting bodies, generation of ozone gas in the environs of the dokhmaarea is being tried out. The idea of starting an aviary for breedingvultures as proposedby one Jemina Parry-Jones is also being given serious consideration!

Withgreat respect and inall humility may I requestthe learned Dasturs to enlightenus regarding any of our reli­ gious injunctions, customs or traditions which approve of the use of microbe technologyas a part of permittedsanc­ tions for quick dissipation of corpses! The proposal for setting up a breeding farm for vultures seems to be totally impracticable as very ably pointed out by DrM. D. Disawallain a letter("Sanc­ tityofdokhmas," Readers' Forum,

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Parsiana, February 2000). In the s·ame issue, R. S. Gae, a distinguished jurist, has pointed out the possibilities of a public interest litigation being filed for pollution of atmosphere in the crowded surroundings ofDoongerwadi. God for­ bid, if this happens, it will be a highly embarrassing issue for the community and difficult to defend.

I humbly submit that whilewe all true Zoroastrians greatly cherish the desire to preserve our ancient culture,traditions and customs, such customs and traditions are not inviolate for all times to come. Where circumstances so demand we should keep an open mind and do some introspection to modify them to suit the changingethos and environmentof modern existence.

The line betweenbasic religious te­

nets, and customs and traditions, which have evolvedover the years according to past circumstances, should be clearly demarcated. While our sacred religious tenets of humata, hukhta,hvarashta will always endure the ravagesof time to remain as eternal truths,traditions and customs are not sacrosanct and should not be treated as religioustenets.

Fire is the greatest gift of Ahura Mazda to humanity. No substanceon

earthcan ever pollutethe holy fire. Fire only purifies and destroys the elements which cause putrefaction and pollution of the earth and its atmosphere and envi­ ronment.To quote a simple illustration, the recent tragicdevastation caused in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthandue to acute water scarcityhave resulted in the deaths of thousands of human be­ ings and animals by thirst and starva­ tion. The only logical way to minimize the damage caused by atmospheric pol­ lution of rotting carcasses is to destroy and consume the same by fire. How else can we preventthe countrywide spread of a deadly epidemic?

A reviewof the dokhmenashini sys­ tem seems to be the only salvation for the survival of our community with dignity and honor. We have to consider alterna­ tive methods-burial or electriccrema­ tion-with an open mind.The respected trustees of the BPP and revered Dasturs should treatthis problem on a war footing before it becomes too late.

I am fully aware that my views are

likelyto be criticized and even vehe­ mently opposed hy a section of our communitywho believe in preservation of the orthodox religious beliefsof our forefathers. I myselfhail from a very

orthodox family and I have no hesitation in offering them my respectful apolo­ gies if my proposal hurts their senti­ ments. I would alwayssupport the de­ sire to maintain our separate religiousidentity and I am proud of our unique ancient heritage.

I pray to Ahura Mazda to guide our minusculecommunity on the righteous path and to evolve a consensus through open debatesand discussions to arrive at a mutuallyacceptable alternative to the dokhmenashini system which in ancient time was perhaps the most logical and acceptable methodfor disposal of dead bodies.

Adi B. Rabadi is currently vice chairperson of the West BengalMinorities' Commission. While he has retiredas trustee of the Calcutta

Zoroastrian Commu­ nity's Religious and Charity Funds, he con­ tinues to serveas trustee of the Mehta Atash Adaran and was elected president of The Parsi

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180 Parsiana August 2000

WEBSITE

The Poachas of Nagpur launcha website listing voluntary blood donors in various Indiancities

Dilnavaz E. Bhagwagar

nance was the first and biggest problem. To buy the computers, design the website, book a domain name, get a host, pay for servertime, all added up to more than we could pay for on our own. We spent sleepless nights as the figure of the loan amount from the bank kept increasing."

Khushroo and Ferminarc disillu­ sioned about the help given by the Parsi community. "Both locally and at all India Zoroastrian conferences there is much rhetoricabout helping emerging Parsi entrepreneurs. But it remains just that. A stage show," opined the angry young man.

Determined to help other Parsis if he

Khushroo Poacha and his wife Fermin had a dream. Of doing something differ­ ent. Of making a difference in the lives of their fellow human beings. While their intent was firm, the shape it would take was vague, till a casual incident made the nebulous dream take the form of alifesaving web­

site in cyberspace.

Recently mar­ ried, the couple was in the process of doing up their home in Nagpur.In this connection, they went a coupleof

The website is well designedand easy to navigateunder six major heads: 'Search' is the most useful utility on the site. Throughit, one can search for blood donors, doctors,hospitals and blood banks.

'Vital Statistics' gives you an instant

update on the num­ ber of donors of the required blood group who can do­ nateblood on a given date, at a given time, in your city and your particular locality. This is of specialim­

ever had the chance to do so, Khushroo entrusted the designing of the websiteto young Cyrus Major, over other more experienced professionals. Anyone who visits the site will agree that Major has done a good job.

Neither KhushroonorFerminwas

born with a silver mouse in their hands. Khushroo was 16 yearsold and studying in standard XII when his father died. Determined to help supporthis mother and younger brother, he took on a job as an input-output clerk in a data process­ ing firm because he was told all he needed to know was elementary typing. His first salary was a princelyRs 325.

times to the Iron Khushroo and FerminPoacha

Butterfly, a furniture

portance in large cit­

ies. If a person has

A self-taught computer nerd, Khush­

roo is today computer supervisor in the

shop owned by Feroz Shapurji and Rami Sudry.

To theirdismaytheynevercould

meet either partner.When on the third or fourth attempt they met Shapurji,he was very upset and preoccupied. A worker of his was in hospital and needed a rare blood group. In spite of running from pillar to post and willing to pay any price, Shapurjiwas unable toget the blood. And time was running out. "Even as the distraught Feroz spoke of his problem, an idea was formingin my mind," said Khushroo. "Iknew this is what I could do. What I had to do. Create a website for blood donors!"

And so it came about that www. indianblooddonors.com was launched on March 5, 2000. Said Khushroo,"This is the only site of its type in India, possibly in the world, where at the click of a mouse you can locate the exact blood group you need, at the nearest and most convenient location, from a will­ ing and voluntary donor."

182 Pars/anaAugust 2000

recently donated blood, a sticker to that

effect will appearbelow his name and he will not be tapped for the next four months. In two monthssince its incep­ tion, 300 blood donors from 18 cities had alreadyregistered their names on the site and more are beingadded every day.

'Jobs and Careers'isa job search

offering a wide variety of opportunities in the medical world.

'Doctor I Need Help' has a panel of eminent specialists who have registered voluntarily and will answerspecific queries. The number of doctors on the panel is still small but the site is rela­ tively new.

'Medipages' gives the home page of

doctors, hospitals, pharmacists and medi­ cal companies.

'Faq' givesanswerstofrequently

asked questions relatedto the functions of this site.

"Don't for a moment think setting up the site was easy," said Khushroo. "Fi-

Central Railway. Fermin,who was work­

ing in the Bank of India at Ahmedabad before she got married,now works in the administrative department of the J.

N. Tata School in Nagpur.Both do a hard day's job before they put in another three to four hours of work on the newly launched website,which requires con­ stant updating, administering, answer­ ing mail and sortingof problems.

When e-commercc is the buzz word, the Poachas have launched their website entirely as a social service to help people indistress. People have already ap­ proached them forpurchasing the site but they don't want to make it a com­ mercial venture.

"Our reward lies in the feeling of having made a difference between life and death," says the soft-spoken Fennin. Khushroo recounteda touching inci­ dent that happened some time ago. He had gone to meet Dr Nirmal Jaiswal,a critical care consultant, in connection with advice for the website. The doctor

askedhim to wait a few minutes, saying there were some people who wantedto meet him. The nurse usheredin the grateful family of a man whoneeded eight units of bloodfor an emergency operation. The blood had been procured in record time throughwww.indian blooddonors.com , thus helpingsave a life.

With deepestgratitude, the patient's

wife touched Khushroo' s feet and thanked him for the yeoman servicehe had rendered. "Beta,yahi zindagi me tumhara bankbalance hai. Siva kar kt! ashirwad pana, usse bada dhan koi nahi (No reward in life is greater than the gratitude of your fellowmen for service rendered)." Khushroo was humbled and touched by the gesture.

The Poachas are happy that the site

has caught the eye of so many people in such a short time.They registered 20,000 hits in the very first month of the launch. The site has been mentioned in India Today, The Week, Mid-Day, Blitz and the local Hitavada. More donors,doc­ tors and cities are registering themselveson the site every day.

Not content with whattheyhave

achieved, the Poachasare constantly thinking of ideas to update and add

valueto the website. They hope to soon include a 'Financial Helpline'for needy patients.The appeals will be posted on the site by the doctors themselves, with a photograph and medical history of the patient and an accountnumber where the donationcan be sent directly. This way they hope to make it as transparent and tamper proof as possible.

What the site needs now is money to

keep it going. This could be in the form ofa sponsor, they said, or advertise­ ments on the site to makeit fund gener­ ating.

While Khushroo decriesthe lack of

encouragement and appreciation from within the community, he admits that thebest thing in life happenedto him at the Fifth All India Zoroastrian Youth Conference, held in Nagpur in 1991. That was when Cupid aimed his arrows at Khushrooand Fermin! "Actually, I only met her on the very last dayof the conference," recalls Khushroo. "That night there was a dinner and dance for all the delegates and Khushroo asked meto dance with him," Fermin adds with a blush.

The couple has tremendous appre­

ciation for Khushroo's motherKaty. A strong, independent and intelligent per-

son herself, she has always encouraged them to fight against all odds to achieve their goals.

The Poachas appeal to all able Parsis to registerthemselves as blood donors. They would also like Parsi doctors the worldover to give of their time and expertise by joining the panel on the website. Let us all be on the willing and giving end of this noble venture,they assert. Who knows, some day it might help save your life or that of someone close to you.

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184 Parsiana August 2000

ART

Damri (far left) and Contractor Below: Cooper

Me[fow

memone- s

In the 'Year of the Aged,' a roving photo exhibitionseeks to highlight the dignity and the plightof the elderly in India

Roxanne Kavarana

priately captioned by Vijay in the subject's own words,attempt to go be­ yond what is already known-the less­ than-happy state of our seniorcitizens. Subjective, intense and emotional, Samar's photographs providemuch food for thought to the viewer,particularly when India is observing2000 as the 'Year of the Aged.'

Vijayspells out the aim of their monu­ mental work: "Social issueslike aging remain in the domainof specialists. The general publichas no clue about it. All that the latter docs is go and buy cards made by some NGO (non-governmen­ tal organization) or the other. There's nothing wrong in raising funds in this manner. However,buying a card doesn't sensitizeyou to the issue; that remains a

Oldage?Few welcome it. Unfortunately, whether we like it or not, whetherwe want it or not, it arrives on our doorstep. And each one of us has to deal with it in our own way.

Brothers SamarandVijayJodha's travelling photo exhibition,Aging in India,which recently passed through Bombay, shows how people cope with old age in different ways. As the Jodhas so beautifully put it in their brochure,"Each story representsone or more fac­ ets of aging.Some of the subjects are more productiveand well-known today than (at) any time (of) their long careers;others are doingsomethingquite ex­ traordinary, often against great odds and usually away from the limelight, while some representa larger, significant is­ sue related to aging. Together,more than a comprehensive survey, they form a picture of the way we are or will be." The exhibit is a must-see(the photo-

186 Parsiana August2000

graphs can be viewed on the Internet at www .socialcommunication.org) for the

young and old, especially in a countryof 75 million senior citizens.And more so for the Parsi community which is rap­ idly being associated with geriatrics. The black-and-white pictures, appro-

mystery. Through this exhibit,we're not only taking the issue to the people in a very accessible form, we also want to build a body of researchon the elderly." Once a person was identified, the brothers went acrossand met him/her. They interviewed him in the next meet­ ing. Some pictureswere shot the third and fourth time. Finally,some photos were shown to the subject and if he/she didn't approve,more were shot. "We're very concerned about getting the person involved -and if he wants to be pre­ sented in a certain way, wemake sure of that. It's important that people are por­ trayed withdignity. If a persondidn't want to be photographed with his walk­ ingstick,thenwedidn't," points out Vijay,agraduateoftheTischFilm School, New York. "The golden rule is to neverwalk in the first time with a

camera," adds Samar.

Of course,many people refusedto be

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photographed. "We respect that too. We talked.The target is never the exhi­ bition, the outputis not the end result. You respecttheir space and thoughts. Basically,it's about developing a rela­ tionshipwith each of them. And then, what are they getting out of it? A photo print? Big deal! We realize this venture wouldn'thave been possiblewithout their help and we're always going to be grateful to all those wonderful people who made this possible," says Samar.

There's celebrated writer Khushwant Singh, going strongat 86, who "reads and writes from almost 4.30 in the morning till whiskey time at 7 in the evening because, as he irreverently says, '...no one has invented a condom for the pen yet."' There's another noted writer, Amrita Pritam, whose picture is cap­ tioned thus: "Somebody once asked an old woman,'What is old age?' and she replied,'The years are like sugar in your cup of tea. The last sip is the sweetest."' There's the indefatigable advertising and theater guru, Alyque Padamsee, who, at 70, says he's getting youngerevery day. There's Anthony Parakal,who despite having had about 5,000 letters printedin newspapers in 45 years, refuses to let go of hisaddiction. There's journalist

Behram'Busybee' Contractor, standingat the entrance to AfternoonHouse: "Un­ fortunately most of my colleagues are dead. I pick up my old phone book and start cancelling names that are gone. Others have retired. If you see them,they are not interested in life. They don't even read the papers." MusicianPhiroze Dam­ ri has been captured in one frame too.

A majorityof the subjects are not celebrities, thankfully. Away from the arc lightsare plenty of obscure, unknown faces- slogging away when they should have beentaken care of by theirchildren, or reaching new heights in the twilight of theirlives. From theGod-fearing widow in Brindavan who, in the fashion of Mirabai, says she's weddedto Thakurji, to the 100-year-old ex-soldier in Haryana who, after losingfour wives, has stopped marrying because"it's time to prepare for my departure from this world," to retired wing commander Ashis Ray who has been running one marathon after the other, to stenographer K. L. Viswa­ nathan who has helped raiseRs 15 lakhs for 150 patientsin the decade since he retired ...

There's also our very own Homi Cooper, an 80-year-old khandhia who

continued on page 236

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188 Parsiana August 2000

DANCE

The pianistpoised at the grand piano awaits the British examiner'ssignal to begin. On one side of the stage at Bombay's Homi Bhabha Auditorium are young ballet studentsat the barre (bar), hair pulledback in neat buns, bodies in balance,gossamer skirts fall­ ing in soft swirls to feet shodin soft pink ballet shoes. As the velvet notes waft through the darkenedauditorium the students begin their routine- the plies (bends), tendus (stretches), sautes Uumps) and pirouettes (turns) of classi­ cal ballet, the litheness of free move­ ment, the heel-clicking vibrancy of European character (folk) dancing.

Examination over, it is for them a long, breathless walk downthe aisle and out into the lobby where a babble of young voicesnarrate to their teachers, Tushna and Khushcheher (Khushoo) Dallas, the joys and woes of perfor­ mance.

"Behind the etherealbeauty of ballet

lies a deceptivestrength.Onehasto

have power to produce gentleness," says Tushna, a pioneer of ballet trainingin India who founded her School of Clas­ sical Ballet and Western Dances34 years ago with just fourpupils- Feroza and Kate Engineerand Shereneand Asha Coorlawalla. In her three decades, hun­ dreds of students have passed through the hands of the teacher who, as a five­ year-old, had announced to her mother Roshni after watching a performance of Icecapades,an ice ballet,in the USA that this was what she was going to do! "But, dear, there is no ice in India," explained Roshni. If not balleton ice, then ballet it willbe, declared the deter­ mined Tushna.

Well-known stage and theater per­ sonalitieslike Shiamak Davar, Dodo Bhujwala,Karla Singh, Soni Razdan,

Sanjana Kapo()r, Sooni Taraporevala,Aye­ sha Dharker, Vikram

Kapadia, ParizadZora-

hian and othershave at some pointin their

lives at-

tended Tushna'sclasses, imbibing not just the techniques of dance but also the discipline, punctuality and character building she believesare very much a part ofher classes. "I like to develop self-awareness through ballet," says the lady whose petiteframe belies her strengthand steely determination, who chose as her role model Audrey Hepburn (many, many years beforeMiss World Yukta Mookheydid!)- thegirlwho lived her childhood in the shadow of World War II, dancing in her

slippers behindlocked doors in secret concerts in aid of the underground movement, in dresses made from old curtains. "More than a dancer, Hepburn

was a good hu­ man being," she

remarks.

With both Tushna and Khushoo registered with the Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD) and the Imperial Societyof

nc1ng

lias

Hilla P. Guzder

Founder of The School of Classical Ballet and

Western DancesTushna Dallas and her daughterKhushcheher have laid firm foundations for ballet trainingin India

190 Parsiana August 2000

Promoting ballet in India means working against tremendous odds

G. "'

:. vu::,: >-)

($- :!'1. -- C-?_j

Previous page: Tushna (left) and Khushcheher Dallas

Photo: Hilla Guzder

1, 2, 4, 7 Students of the School3 Royal Academyof Dancing

representative Susan Danby

. (fifthfrom right)with teachers and peiformers

5 Khushcheher' s Latin look

6 With mother Tushna (right)

Photos 5 and 6: Hilla Guzder

Teachers of Dancing (ISTD),London, they are qualified to teach several disci­ plines of dance besides ballet-Latin American danceslike the cha-cha,samba, rumba, jive and paso doble; ball­ room dances such as the waltz,tango, foxtrot and quickstep; modem theater

dance,national (European folk) dance and natural movement. Regular classes are held four days of the week at BlavatskyLodge at French Bridge and occasionally at Girton High School and SparkFitness Centre at Tardeo. Chil­ dren join at around the age of five at the

primary level and are selected after an audition."Parents have this vision of their daughtersas beautiful swans in lovely tutus and pointe (point) shoes. We have to dash their hopes by telling them that children start their ballet train­ ing barefeet!" laughsKhushoo,fresh

193 Pars/ana August 2000

faced and pretty, long tresses secure in a neat bun.

Many years of systematic training, in accordance with prescribed syllabi, see seniorstudents move on to doing pointe work at around the age of 12-13

years after their technicalability and placing of the whole body has been strengthened. "Atwo-minute dance re­ quires hours and hours of practice. Bal­ let is a flow of imagery, a perfect com­ bination of dance, music,drama, decor. Correct turnout(from the hips) andplac­ ing is the foundation - an untrained body is like an untuned piano!" declares Tushna. Many students do drop out along the way but most, she says, enjoy their ballet so intensely they willingly put in the extra hours of grind required for examinations. For the last 20 years,pupils have been sent up for RADballet and recently for modern and jazz exams of the ISTD as well. "It is mainly thanks to Air India's promotion of the arts that we are able to fly down examiners from London. They come to Bombay, judge the students and fly straight back," she notes. (The RAD is, according to their brochure, "the world's most important ballet teacher," with over I ,60,000 stu­ dents from Bahrainto

Bermuda and Australia

to Argentina being taught the Academy's syllabusand examined at each level by their large travelling body of examiners.The ISTD, "theworld's leading dance examinations board," examines up­ wards of2,50,00 people

in different dance disciplines each year, states their brochure.) Says Tushna, "Ex­ aminers have been very happy with the highstandard ofourSchool." The

children's gradesexams inJanuary2000 saw all 48 studentsobtain over 65 per­ cent, 18 of them securingover 85 per­ cent!

"Promoting balletin India means working againsttremendous odds," la­

mentsTushna. "Children have to cope with the crushing burden of studies, we have no premisesof our own and hence no facilities like a sprung wooden floor

whichis so essential for ballet,particu­ larly at the higher level. If advanced allegro work is done on a hard floor, it tends to jar the back and invitesshin splints. We urgently need premises of our own where we can Jay a sprung floor or an importedcushioned floor treated for ballet." For the first time in January 1999, students were sent up in Bombay for what is known as the "ma­ jors," (girls used to go to London ear­ lier) moving beyond children's grades into what may be termed a build-upfor professional dancers. No other school or center in India, says Tushna, has achieved this.

"When I was a student, balletwas for most of us a hobby which made us happy," says Feroza Mody (nee Engi­ neer). "Now,because of the exams, students have reached a level where they can do something with it, take it forward even onto the international scene. It has not been easy to promote this art in India. Tushnahas had to work against great odds." Remarks parent NayantaraHidayatullah, "The School is a wonderfulinstitution. It has given its students poise,self-confidence and an inner peace. For most of them dance is

the biggestexpression

of their emotions.The School could, however, do so much more if it had premises, a studio of its own."

Difficulties have in­ cluded making new bal­ letbarres when required(an expensive proposi­ tion) and finding a ca­ pable pianist willing to

play for classesthroughout the year. "RAD regulations make it imperative to have live accompaniment for exams," observes Khushoo. "Jean Coelho, our pianist for the exams for the last few years, has been doing a wonderfuljob

- she is caring and sensitive to the variations required by different chil­ dren," commends Tushna. "Examina­ tion fees and other expensesfor outfits, shoes, etc do imposea financial burden on some parents. I must say, however,that I have a mostloyal and dedicated set of parents!" she adds. "Weare desper­ ately in need of fundingto promote the art. It seems such a shame that, after 30 years, when we have arrived at the level of giving major examsin India itself,it might all have to come to a standstill due to lack of funds."

Thebenefits of ballet to the children are enormous, opines Tushna. Dance teaches them correct posture,coordina­ tion, self-discipline and consideration for others, amongst other attributes. Narrates parent Roshan Merchant, "My daughter Tanya,now 12, was born with what is called'retroversion of the right hip joint.' Doctorstold us she would require physiotherapy. I put her into the ballet class about five years ago and when we took her to the doctor again last year we were told she has been 90 per­ cent cured! She has securedhonors in every exam she has given so far." SeniormoststudentAnahitaHilloowalla, now 24 and a qualified architect who works with Talatiand Panthaky Associ­ ated PrivateLimited remarks, "Ihave been with the Schoolfrom the age of four and a half. Thoughit is difficult to find time, I would like to continueballet

Tushna (third from left)with graduat­ ing classmates and teachers and (above) at a social gathering with prima ballerinaDame Margot Fonteyn

194 Parsiana August 2000

for as long as I can. It is an abso-lute pleasure to dance."

Though Parsi students may have been

in the majority in the earlier years, stu­ dents today come from all communities and range in age from five to 24. Boys havebeen few andfar between.The popular perception that ballet is 'pretty pretty,' though not true, makes them drop out, asserts Khushoo.Ballet is of­ ten a passport for getting into theater, observes her mother. Over the past year, once a week classes for adults in Latin American dance have been held. Sev­ eral senior students after their training with the School have joined universities in USA, taking up dance as one of their subjects."ThegroundingIreceived was so good that I have aftercoming here learnttap dance, Spanishflamenco, riverdance and Afro-Caribbean jazz as well," comments Behnaz Khusrokhan, currently doing her graduation with dance as her 'minor'subject in Denison University in Ohio. StephenLong of the London FestivalBallet Company and JonathanHollander of the Battery Dance Company of USA have givenwork­ shops for the students in Bombay. Rep­ resentatives of the Toronto Dance The­ atre took a video of the School's show backwiththemtoCanadain1998. "You've done an amazingjob of build­ ing an appreciation and understanding of ballet in India. I admire your tenacity and commitment, and very obvious sue-

197 Parsiana August 2000

Feroze and Tushna; (l to r) Khushcheher,Feroze, Mahzeevar,

Tushna and Roshni

cess," wrote Jini Stolk, the Company's general manager.

In June 2000, Khushoo organizeda

workshop in whichFred Darsow, dancer/choreographer from New York,

taught students (otherstudents joined in too) the intricacies and joys of Span­ ish flamenco as well as modern dance. "These students arevery smart, very quick to pick up new material, though flamenco is a style they have not done before. Their enthusiasm, discipline and intelligence stand out,"Darsow

told Parsiana.

A Fellow of the ISTD and an Associ­ ate of the RAD, Tushna obtained her

diploma with a distinction in teaching from the London College of Dance and Drama. "Myhappiest years were at the

College," she reminisces. The legend­ ary Rud.olfNureyev visited the College and sat in at a modern dance class, prima ballerina Beryl Grey, all of six feet tall, used tiny Tushna as the body to choreo­ graph a dance for the Beryl Grey Award. Late one night at College, Tushnare­ lates, the girls heard an unusualnoise from downstairs. As most of them were in their nightwear and it was expressly forbidden to go down unlessproperly dressed, Tushnawas sent down to inves­ tigate as she was the only one who had notchanged. "I opened the creakywooden door of one of the studiosand found myself face to face with a very handsomely dressedman. 'May I help you,' I askedpolitely, and he turned and ran straightout into the back garden and out of sight! He was probably as aston­ ished to see a slip of a girlstanding before him as I was to see a burglar!Our College was housed in a lovelyold build-

ing with a dome and a beauti­ ful mosaic ceiling and he must have thought it was an art museum with rare treasures, rather than a residential col­ legefor students of dance!"

In 1962, fired by her enthu­ siasm to bringballet back to

India shejoinedher old school, Presentation Con ent in Ko­ daikanal, teaching ballet,

modern dance, ballroomand national dances,as well as gym and physical training.With fees at five rupees amonth and over I00 pupils fordifferent

disciplines, she earned the princely sum

of Rs 900 per month,which was more thanthe salary of many a senior teacher in the '60s! "During my student days at Presentation Convent, my love of dance was nurturedby a nun who was very strong on choreography. She used to teach dance dressed in her habit!"

Moving toBombay, Tushna com­ menced teaching at Palm Beach School, fulfilling her dream of opening her own

school in 1966/67.Classes were held at the Cathedral InfantSchool at Malabar Hill and continued at that venue for 25 years!

Khushoo, who is an Associate and

Licentiate of the RAD, attended her first international summer school for a week in Londonwhen she was II years old. She was selectedfrom 400 students for a scholarship class, winning scholar­ships for the next two summer schools consecutively, while she was still a stu­ dent at the Cathedral and John Connon School in Bombay. On the basis of her performance at the summer schools she was offered a place at the RAD teachers training college and was, at 17, the youngest in her batch. Besides dancing, studentsare taught anatomy,the history of dance, labanotation (the written lan­ guage or script of dance), etc. "The three years just flew by and, snow or sleet, I did not miss a single class," she remem­ bers. Her technically firm grounding at the hands of her mother ensured her fitness throughout the course.

In her second year, studentswere told to choreograph and present a dance, making their own costumes within a limited budget. "Ichoreographed Ravi Shankar's raga Adana. Wearing a red ghagra choli with mirror work, soft bal­ let shoes and using dandiya sticks and a dupatta as a prop (scarf),I fused the stylized hands of Indian dance with the

technique of ballet.It was very well received," relates the 26-year-old smil­ ingly.

On another occasion,students were sent out infancy tutus to the Royal Opera House at CoventGarden to sell brochures for an RAD fund-raising event. "Prince Andrew was the guest of honor and during the interval he smiled at usand we were all so excited!" re­ members Khushoo.One day the Queen, who is the patron of the RAD, came to the Collegeto inaugurate a new annexe. "We were lined up on both sides as a kind of guard of honor. 'Do not speak until spoken to, remember to curtsy,' etc were the admonitions we received be­ fore she arrived. But she didn'ttalk to us at all and just walked on. We were so disappointed!" she laughs.

Coming back to India in 1993, Khushoo joined the School,teaching students from primary to advanced level. Both she and her motherhave given lecture demonstrations over the years to popularizeballet as an art form. "Though I am a classically orienteddancer, I love learning new dance styles.The salsa, for example, is great fun. In Latin American dance, it is easy to let go and just enjoy

yourself. Younger studentsdo love the freedom of modern dance and jazz," she maintains.

TheSchool has also given numerous charity shows, with Concern India, Balkan-ji-Bari, Lions Club,Time and Talents Club, etc being among the ben­ eficiaries. In February and March 2000, selected studentsled by Khushoo per­ formed at the Indus CharityBall, at the Carnival of Song and Dance at the Tata Theatre and the JamshediNavroz cel­ ebrations of the MancherjiEdulji Joshi Memorial Trust at the Dadar Parsi Gymkhana.

"Parsis have done a lot for the devel­ opment of the arts and culture and I am very proud to be a Parsi," remarks Khushoo who visits the agiary on birth­days and specialoccasions. "I respect myreligion. I like the peace and inner tranquility of an agiary,"opines Tushna. She philosophizes that the law of cause and effectis a natural law -the free will operated in this life will be your irrevocable destiny in the next. As a communitywe want the Parsis to sur­ vive, state mother and daughterin uni­ son.

With two out of herfour-member

family fully engrossed in ballet, Tushna commends husband Feroze, a Master of Science in industrial engineering from USA who recently retired after 28 years with TELCO (Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company), for being sup­ portive. "He has never stopped me from doing my work. He is a calm person and temperamentally good for me as I do tend to lose my temper sometimes," she smiles. Younger daughter Maazi (Mah­ zeevar) prefers sports like badminton and basketball to ballet. An animal lover and founderof Animal Friends, Maazi visitsthe Sakerbai Petit veteri­ nary hospital at Parel regularly, taking sick or wounded animals there and pay­ ing for their treatment. "Mymum is just terrific. She gives too much and is too nice. Though strong on discipline for her students,her bark is far worse than her bite!" she remarks.

"Jigsaw puzzles are my passion," says Tushna. "You can look at a jigsaw in two ways -just alot of pieces with jagged edges being put into emptyholes, or you can fit each piece lovingly to make a beautiful picture.Life is but a jigsaw puzzle. How we put each piece together is entirely up to us."

WHAT AREZOROASTRIAN...

continued from page 80

tire. It is said that a Persian army

once spared a Byzantine church because of a fresco of the magi on it. During the Middle Ages, the magi were portrayed -like all ancient people- in the dress of the period.Today artists take all mannerof liberties with the magi, but usuallypicture them as wealthy Arabs.

How did they come to be the

Three Kings?Early Christian art

and stories sometimes have two, four, or even 12 magi.The third centurytheolo­ gian Origen states that there were three wise men, probablybecause of the three gifts identified in the New Testamentstory.

Another early church father, Tur­

tullian, refers to the magi as "almost

kings." By the sixth century,the Arme­ nian Gospel of the Infancy provides names for the three magi, i.e. Melchior, who reigned overthe Persians; Bal- · thazar, who reignedover the Indians;and Gaspar, who reigned over the Ara­ bians. Thisis more understandable when one considers that before Columbus,

Europeans thoughtthatAfrica,India and China were all part of the 'Indies.' As the legendgrew, the magi came to represent the three races of humanityas well as the three stages of life: youth, middle age and old age. The mother of Constantinesearchedforand discov­ ered many Christian relics, including the purported bones of the magi which, after severalmoves, now residein the

Cathedral of Cologne.

Now you know how the magi got to

be kings. What are Zoroastrian priests

doing on your Christmascard? They belong there for more than one rea­ son. Our religion in the West in com-

posed of layers of influence. Obvi­ ously the most in­ fluential person in the presentworld is Jesus. He is first in Christianity, sec­ ond in status in Is­ lam, and is known throughout the world. But behind Jesus is the religion of the magi and the revelation of

theirprophet Zoroaster.

Ken R. Vincent is chair of the department of psychology, sociology

and anthropology at Houston Community College (Northwest College), and an ad­ junct assistantprofes­ sor at Baylor College of Medicine.He has

published two books on personality assess­

ment and is the author of Visions of God from the Near Death Experience(Larson Publica­ tions). His new book is titledThe MAGI: From Zoroaster to the "Three Wise Men."

EVENTS & PERSONALITIES

continued from page 38

Business Ethics in Bombay.

After his early educationat Jam­ shedpur's Loyola Schooland the Jam­ shedpur Cooperative College, Sadri completed his postgraduation in indus­ trial relations and business management from XLRI, Jamshedpur. He then ob­ tained a Bachelors degree in law from Ranchi Univer­

sity after which he went to UK on a J. N. Tata scholarship, ob­ taining a MScin economics with specializa­ tion in business policy from the London School

of Economics and Political Science.For six years he was on a UNESCO program undertaking academic and research work at Nigerianuniversities. He returned to London to completehis doctorate, ini­ tially teaching for three years in Oxford and later joiningthe University of East Asia before he chose to return to India, accordingto a detailed write-up from Spearhead Public Relations.

Active awareness

Within a year of their inception the

Zarathushti Awareness Group of Ahmedabad (ZAGA) was able to touch thelives of nearly 100childrenin the six to 16 age group, notes a press release.Besides attending the regular monthly classes where they pray and sing and learn the differentaspects of the reli­ gion, they also participated in a 'know thyself' workshop,a leadership camp, a motivationcamp, a lecture demonstra­ tion on public speaking, a trip to Udvada, a picnic, visit to the museum, Sanskar

Top: At a ZAGBA function(from left): Medora, Kersi Shethna,Persis and Areez Khambatta, Noshir and Goo! Daboo and Dr Ratan Marshall; (centerand below) childrenencouraged to peiformon stage and give vent to their artistic

Kendra, quiz, the annual entertainment program,a week longdrawing and paint­

ing workshopat the famous Amdavad ni Gufa...

An exhibition of the children's draw­ ings, paintings and monoliths which got

news coverage in the Pressand Doordar­ shan, Ahmedabad Kendra was a reward­ ing experience for the youngsters as was also the drawing competition when se­ lect prize winning entries were printed on greeting cards and sold in differentregions.

Started by Meher Rashid Medora, managing trustee of the Ushta-Te Foun­ dation, and co-trustee ShirinNavroze

200 Parsiana August2000

Kanga, ZAGA' s avowed objects for the children were "to preserve ourZara­

thushti culture and spread the basic awareness, developtheir personality and give them the required trainingin being better Zarathushtis and excellent Indi­ ans; also to provide a sense of belongingand togetherness -Parsipanu," men­ tions their literature. Functioning under the bannerof the Ushta-Te Foundation, ZAGA felt the need to groom the youth and serve as a supportgroup realizing that joint familiesare fast disappearing and the parents are busy with their re­ spective jobs.

Assisting Medora and Kanga in their

duties are Katy Daruwalla, Roshan Rao,

Nina Muncherji and Farokh Kavina for. the senior group,and Dilshad Sooi,Perin Unwalla, Daisy Doctor, Kerman Antia, Hutoxi Karkaria and PerwinWatch­ maker for the junior group.

Medora was particularly gratefulto the Ahmedabad Parsec Panchayatfor giving the Anklesaria Hall free of charge at all times, to Perin Lalkaka for offering

her school Thumbelina's premises, whenever required,to patron member Noshir Daboo for his guidance and en­ couragementin religious matters,to Hafez Dalal for looking after the finan­ cial and trust matters. The others on the

trust board of the Foundation are Minni Patel, Dhun Anklesaria, Perin Engineer, Roshan Babycon and Persis Khambatta. The Foundation which only recently obtained the Income Tax exemption cer­ tificate under section 80G(5) has been concentrating on its welfareprograms, affiliating itselfwith other organizations helping the blind, women's activities and social work. Ultimately all these varied activities "become a meeting point for the Parsis of Ahmedabad, the young and the old...which augurs well for the community in the new millennium," notes their report.

Leaders of Lions

Unanimously nominatedas the presi­

dent of the newly formed Lioness Dis­ trict 323 E-2 consisting of various clubs of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh,Marook Gandevia was presented two awards at the Lioness Multiple Conven­ tion in Aurangabad on April 28, 2000. She was adjudgedthe best communica­tor and the best chairperson for student welfare,according to a family source.Her slogan as the LionessDistrict presi­ dent is "Live and let live," mentions her sister Pervize Gandevia of Ajmer.

Having joined Lionism in 1989, Marook Gandevia "isan outstanding exampleof dedicated selflessservice," commends her sibling. She haswon awards at the club, region and district level, and recentlyon April 8, 2000 was recognized with an international award for leadership.

Ajmer born MarookGandevia, who runs her own screen and block printing unit named Sarosh Enterprises, has com­ pleted her BSc (Home Science), BEd and MA in English literature as she passed through the portals of Sophia College,Ajmer and NirmalaNiketan, Bombay. "With her acumen, zeal and hard work," she has secured a string of diplomas in commercial art, textile de­ signing, interiordecoration, food craft, ikebana and journalism. She was for­ merly the head of the departmentof textile designingat Sophia College,men­ tions the sister.

When installing Lion Gulnar Hosi Karanjia as president of the Lions Club of Cuffe Parade in Bombay on June 30, 2000 a new milestonewas reached in the 26-year history of the Club. She is only the second lady to be appointed head of this Club comprising 100 members

Top row (from left): Gandevia, Savinder Singh Rekhi and Karanjia

Below: Ashok Mehta presenting

gavel to Yasmin Dotivala as husband Jamshedlooks on

TheClub has adoptedthe Geeta Nagar Primary EducationSchool where nearly 200 slum children are offered free el­ ementaryeducation along with a nutri­ tional diet, uniforms and books, men­ tions the release, addingthat the Club is also closelyassociated with the Tata Electric Companies Limitedin main­ tainingthe prestigious five-and-a-half­ acre Colaba Woods and Sports Com­ plex. Offering help to hospitals, provid­ ing medicalaid to the destitute, striving to prevent blindness are the other areas where the Club has been rendering use­ ful service.

Assisting Karanjia in discharging the Club's responsibilities duringthe year 2000-2001 will be vice presidents Jaloo Behramfram and Jimmy Mobedji,sec­ retary Roshan Datar, joint secretaryKhurshid Buhari walla, treasurer Prakash Bambardekar and joint treasurer Perin Palia.

InSurat, Lioness Yasmin Jamshed Dotivalawas installed presidentof Li­ oness District 323F which includes40 clubs from Vapi to Kheda, Dahod and Godhra, on July 9, 2000, states a press release. Described as an ambassador of Lionism, Dotivalawithher team was

imageof Lionism amongstthe public. She comes from the reputed Dotivala family established as bakersand con­ fectioners in Surat for over two centu­ ries and six generations.

SPOTLIGHT

The highestaward from the Society of

American Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Surgeons (SAGES)wasconferredon

Dr TehemtonE. Udwadia at their an­ nualconferencein Atlanta, USA, ac­

cording to a news report. The reputed Bombay surgeon was conferred the Dr Karl Storz SAGES Millennium Award for his contribution to laparoscopic and minimal accesssurgery.

Doyen Jamshed J. Bhabha's contribu­ tion to art and culturewas recognized with a Desikottama (doctor ofliterature

-honoris causa)by the Visva-Bharati University, notesa write-up in the After­ noonDespatch and Courierof May 24, 2000. The chancellor of the University and formerPrime Ministeroflndia, I.K. Gujral mentioned that they had come to Bombay to honor Bhabhasince he had been unable to attend the University's awards function held earlier.

drawn from the elite of a cosmopolitan

exhorted to implement projectsfor so­

society, notes a press release.

202 Parsiana August2000

cial welfarewhich would enhancethe

Compiled by Parinaz M. Gandhi

FOOD

Fancythese flavors Dr Katy Dalal

An assortment of recipes from Delicious Encounters to satiate all taste buds

Clockwise from top left: Steamed pomfret with black bean sauce Hunan style, Pahari murghi and Golden pepper pulao

In her second cookery book, Delicious Encounters-Innovative Recipes, Parsi, Indian, Western, Dr Katy Dalal has se­ lected international dishes which would appeal to the Indianreader. And realiz­ ing that visitors can drop in at any hour, she has over 250 recipesfor breakfast, brunch, lunch, tea time snacks and din­ ner. Carried here with her permission are seven selectrecipes.

VEGETABLE HAKKANOODLES

Preparation time: 12 mins

Pars;ana Au_r;11st 2000

Cooking time: 1R mins (serves 4-6)

Egg noodles or plain noodles(200 g) Yellow carrots (25 g- cutjulienne) Green frenchbeans(25 g-cutjulienne) Green cabbage( 25 g -cut julienne) Capsicum ( 1 -cut julienne)

Springonions (4 -cutjulienne) Garlic (R large cloves- cut julienne) Ginger (2" piece-cut julienne) Green chillies (6 -cut julienne)

Bean sprouts(lh cup)

Black pepperpowder (\l:z tsp)

Aji-no-moto (1 tsp)

Red chillies (3 - brokeninto three pieces each)

Soya bean sauce (2 tbsp -optional)

Oil or chilli oil Salt

Boilthenoodlesinsaltedwaterand when soft, drain and set aside.

Take a Chinesewok and put three

tablespoons of oil in it. Place on high heat and add the green chillies, ginger and garlic and stir for two minutes.Add the carrots, french beans, cabbage, cap

sicumand spring onions and lower heat and stir fry for five more minutes.Set aside.

Put three tablespoons oil or chilli oil in the wok and place on high heat. Add the broken red chillies to the oil, the bean sprouts, blackpepper powder, soyasauce andaji-no-moto. Stir fry for two minutes and add the noodles. Stir fry for five minutes.When well blended,add all the stirfried vegetable mixture,cook for three more minutesmixing well with the noodles. Taste for salt and serve hot.

MUSHROOM ANDTOMATOSTUFFED OMELETIES

Preparation time: 15 mins Cooking time: 25 mins (serves 6-8)

For the omelette

Eggs (8)

Pepper powder (14 tsp) Salt

Butter

For the stuffing

Fresh mushrooms (150-200g)

Onion (I large)

Parsley (2 tbsp -chopped) Garlic (2 tbsp-chopped) Thyme ( 1 tbsp)

Butter Salt

Wash and slice the mushrooms and

slicethe onion finely.Cook them along withthe garlic till soft in two-three tablespoons of butter. Tasteforsalt.

pan. Bring to a boil. Cool. Drain the apples and divide them between five ramekins.

Placethe cream on a low flame and heat it. Do not allow to boil. Cool. Beat the egg yolks and castorsugar with a whiskand mix into the cold cream. Add the vanillaessence. Stir and pour into the ramekins.

Pre-heat oven to 350°F or 180°C. Bake the ramekins till the custard turns golden brown. Remove from the oven.

Place the oven shelf a little higher and increasethe heat to 400°F. Spread a layer of brown sugar on top of the custards and heat for four or five min­ utes till the sugar has melted. Remove from the oven and cool. Cover. Chill overnightbefore serving.

STRAWBERRY BRULEE

Cut 15largestrawberries into half. Place

in a saucepan with 70 g castor sugar and half cup water. Bring to a boil. Cool and drain. Divide the strawberries amongstthe ramekins and proceed as earlier for Apple brulee.

LARGE POMFRET STEAMED AND LIGHTLY FRIED IN BLACK BEAN SAUCE HUNAN STYLE

Preparation/cooking time and serving dependsentirelyonthesizeofthe

pomfret

Pomfret (1 - large)

Black bean sauce (2 cups)

order.Place the pomfret on top of these vegetables, sprinklewith soya bean sauce, cover, lower flame and allow to cook for seven to 10minutes. Then turn over and cook the other side.

Heatthe black bean sauce. If you like, add half an onion finelychopped and allow to cook till soft.

Takea large platter. Pour half the black bean sauce on the dish, place the pomfret on top, sprinklewith all the vegetables and oil left on the griddle and pour the remaining hot black bean sauce over the pomfret.Fry the parsley clusters and place them around the pomfret. Decorate the dish withflowers made out of springonions and carrots and serve hot.

BLACK BEAN SAUCE HUNAN STYLE

Preparation time:15 mins Cooking time: 25 mins (serves10)

Dark rajma beans(200 g) Brown sugar (3 tbsp) Nanking soya sauce (3 tbsp)

Garlic (6 large cloves- crushed)

Cornflour (2 tbsp)

Brown sugarcane vinegar (1V2 tbsp)

Sesame oil ( 100 g) Salt

Cook the beans in salted water in a

pressure cooker till absolutelysoft. Drain.Crush the beans and mix in the sugar, soya sauce, garlic and vinegar.

Add a dash of tabasco.When the onion is soft, add the parsley and thyme and

Ginger (fresh 2" piece-cutinto very

thin strips)

Mix the cornflour in 3/

cup of water and

remove the vessel from the fire.

Beat two eggs at a time in your mixie along with a pinch of pepper powder and o:;a\t.

Pour the beaten eggs in a greased non-stick fryingpan. Spoon the stuffing onto the eggs and fold the omeletteinto half. Shake the pan for two minutes and

Garlic ( 15largeflakes-finely chopped)

Soya bean sauce (2 tbsp)

Spring onions (4 small including 2" of the green \)0\"t\Qn-cut intQ thin diagQnal strips)

Green chillies (6 deseeded -cut into

thin strips)

Parsley (8 clusters)

Heat the oil in a saucepanand fry the

bean mixture for three minutesor so. Remove from the fire. Cool and refrig­ erate. The sauce will keep for four days at least.Dilute as and when you need it.

GOLDEN PEPPER PULAO

if possibleoverturn the omelette.Serve

1 sour lime (juice)

Cooking time: 1 1/

or 1 hr 15 mins

hot.

APPLE BRULEE

Preparation time: 15 mins

Cooking time: 25-30 mins (serves 5)

Cream (400 g)

Apples(4 tart ones - skinned, cored and sliced)

Castor sugar (200 g) Egg yolks (5)

Brown sugar (40-50 g) Vanillaessence (1 tsp) Extra castorsugar (70 g)

Place the extra sugar and apple slices

along with two cups of water in a sauce-

206 Parsiana August 2000

Sesame oil Salt (to taste)

Wash the pomfret and clean the surface

with a knife and scrape off all the tiny scales. Cut below the mouth and remove the stomach entrails. Leave the fins and tail on. Wash three times,salt and rub with the lime juice and keep in a cool place.

Take a steamer basket if you have one and steam the pomfretor lightly boil it, covered,in a large flat thali.

Takea big flat iron tava or griddle. Pour one cup of sesame oil on it and place on a hot flame.Add the ginger, garlic, chillies and spring onions in this

(serves 5-6)

For the rice

Basmati rice (500 g)

Saffron ( 1 g)

Onions (2 -cutlong and deep fried) Cinnamon (2 - 1" pieces)

Pepper corns (10)

Cloves (6)

Elaichis or brown cardamom (4 large)

Star anise (4)

Bay leaves (4) Salt

Ghee or oil for the fried onions

For the peppers

Golden peppers (8)

Prawns (1 kg -shelled and deveined)

Cor1ander \ -sma\\ bunch-washed and finelychopped)

Oil Salt

Grind in sugarcane vinegar

Red Kashmirichillies ( 14-16) Garlic (2 large cloves)

Cumin (2Vz tbsp)

Black mustardseeds (Vz tsp) Black pepper corns(6)

Prepare a broadmouthedheavybot­

tomed vessel by scrubbing it well. Keep aside.

Place a cup of oil in a dekchiover

medium flame. When hot, add the ground masala and stir till it is red and almost cooked. Salt the prawnsafter washing them twice and add them to the masala. Reduce the heat to very low, cover the vessel and allow the prawns to cook in theirown juice for 10 minutes. Cover the vessel with a shallow platter with a layer of water on it. Replenish the water from time to time till the prawns are tender and soft. Mix in the chopped coriander and cool. Tastefor salt.

Wash all the peppers and with a sharp, pointedknife, cut a circle around the stalksand remove them intact. With your finger or a fine teaspoon remove the seedsineachpepper.Tapeach

\ight\y so any remaining seeds fa\\ DU\. Takea small teaspoonand fill all the peppers well with the prawnmixture and then cover with their stalks.

Wash the rice and place it in the prepared pan. Addsalt, all the whole spices and the saffronafter heating it lightly. Lastly add the fried onions along with three tablespoons of the ghee or oil it was fried in. Add water to cook the rice, then lower the peppers and arrange them close to each other so they stay upright. Place the dekchi on medium heat. Sprinkle more salt over the rice if necessary as the peppers will be absorb­ ing it. Lowerthe !lame to its lowest point andallow the rice to cook for40 minutes till all the water is absorbedand the peppers are soft. If the rice remains hard add more water. It should be soft and not dry.

Serve this pulaowithcucumberor

banana raita or a Parsi dhansakh dal.

PAHARI MURGHI

Preparation time:45 ruins Cooking time:I hr (serves 15)

For the chicken

Saffron (2 g)

Chicken (4 whole -cut into 8 pieces

each)

Onions (5 large)

Tomatoes (8 large)

Bay leaves (4)

Ginger-garlic paste (1 tbsp) Boiled eggs (8)

Capsicums (4 large) Salt

Oil

Grind together with half a cup of water

Coconut (1 - grated) Kashmiri chillies( 16)

Badi sonf or fennelseeds (I tbsp)

Black peppercorns (Vztbsp) Cinnamon powder(Vz tsp) Mace powder(Vz tsp) Shahjeera powder (1 tsp) For the kababs

Ginger-garlic paste (Vz tbsp) Mince meat (500 g)

Garam masala ( 1 tsp)

Onion ( 1 large-finely chopped) Fresh coriander(I tbsp)

Green chillies( 1 tsp -chopped)

Eggs (2)

Bread crumbs(2 cups) Bread ( 10 slices)

Salt Oil

Heat the saffron and steep it in one cup

hot water.

Caterer

Wisl1es o11e a11() all

A Verlj Happlj Ne"" Year.

Mali eacl1 »10»1e11tbe a precios sifta11t) eacl1 t)a\1of tl1e\jear

a priceless treasre

Tel Nos:3736136, 3736194

Mobile 98201 33399

208 Parsiana August 2000

CONTINUE WITH A SWEET TRADITION

Greetings with Royals has always been specialand sweet in so many ways. The specialfestive

assortments, from pure, hand-picked ingredients. Made with love and care. Exclusively gift wrapped

to say 'Best Wishes'

Main retail outlet:

Opp Crawford Market, Mumbai 400003Tel: 3429414/3444108

Branches

Grant Road, Mumbai 400007 Tel: 3822972/3891858

Byculla,Clare Road, Opp St Agnes High School,Mumbai 400008 Tel: 3086363 Bandra, Sona Shopping Centre, Mumbai 400050 Tel: 6425997

210 Parsiana August 2000

Wash the chicken pieces,apply salt, the ginger-garlic paste and set aside.

Chop the onions and tomatoes finely and grind the masala till fine and soft.

Take a verylarge,wide-mouthed vessel and fry the onions and bay leaves

in one cup of oil. When the onion is golden brown add the ground masala and fry till red. Add the tomatoes and when soft, put in the chickenpieces and allow to cook, stirring all the time on a slow fire for 15 minutes. Add three cups of water and allow to cook till soft.

Meanwhile.make the kababs.Mix

mince,onions, coriander, green chillies, ginger-garlic paste and the garam masala with salt to taste. Make the mixture into a ball and make a hole in it. Beat the eggs well and pour them into the hole and mix the mixturevigorously. Soak the bread slices in water and drain the water out with both your hands. Add to the mix­ ture and kneadwell into it. Then wet both your hands and make tiny little cocktail kababs. Roll in the breadcrumbs and deep fry in hot oil till brown.

Once the chickenis cooked soft, add the saffron water to the gravy and sim­ mer over a very low flame till the gravy is thick. Add the kababs, shake the ves­ sel, cover and remove from the flame. Serve the chicken on a flat dish and decoratewith the kababs,boiled eggs and capsicum rings lightly fried in oil.

Serve with rotis or soft bread.

DARAIUS' CHICKEN DELIGHT

Preparation time: 40 mins

(serves 8)

Pineapple rings (1 can)

Chicken breasts (4- boiled and sliv­ ered)

Cheese sauce (2 cups) White wine (Y2 cup) Mayonnaise( 1 cup)

Pickledgreen peppercorns ( 1 tbsp) Eggs (6 boiled- halved)

Stuffed olives (sliced)

Little bunchesof black and green grapes Iceberg lettuce

Assemble pineapplerings on a small silver salver or flat dish. Place the sliv­

ered chicken on top and pour some mayonnaise sauce over the chicken. Arrange the boiled eggs neatlyaround the pineapple slices.

Beatthe wine into the cheese sauce. Add the pickledpeppercorns and gently pour over the mayonnaise sauce. Ar­ range the iceberg lettuce, olives and bunches of grapes in an attractive way around the pineapple and egg. Chill andserve.

BOOKS

Mixed marriage, mixedbag

Dr Nilufer E. Bharucha

Mixed Marriage and other Parsi stories by Meher Pestonji. Published in 1999 by Har­ perCollinsPublishers, India Private Limited,7/ 16,Ansari Road,Daryaganj, New Delhi110002. Pp: 180. Price: Rs 150.

Parsi literature is today a well estab­ lished genre with writers of staturesuch as BapsiSidhwa,

Dina Mehta, Ro­

hinton Mistry, Farrukh Dhondy, Boman Desai and Firdaus Kanga. The commonfea­ ture of this litera­ ture is the focus on the Parsi race and

the Zoroastrian re-Pestonji:Finely

ligion. This ethno- tuned narratives

religious focus en­

first being the ancient one

of the last century. Afterher came the Karakas, then Burjor Karanjia's forays into creative writingand the poetryof Keki Daruwala and Gicvc Patel-all in English. None of this writing had a particular focus on Parsipanu. So though they were Parsis they were not practi­ tioners ofParsi literature, in the strictest sense of the term.

It is only at the end of the 20th century that Parsis began to write in a manner that asserts thci r di fferencc from theIndian mainstream. The 1980s and 1990s have seen the Parsi writers mak­ ing alast grandstand. Mistry has called this a 'bearing witness'literature that documents the Parsis' gloriouspast, their much reducedand confused present status in India/the West and their uncer- tain future.

Such writing has often resultedin the members of this communitytaking exception to the manner in which they have been portrayed. When Sidhwa's CrowEaters was reprintedin India (the first editionappeared in Lahore,Paki­ stan) in the early '80s, there was a considerable hue and cry among the Parsiswho felt they had been presented in a mocking, unflattering manner,

thereby feeding into the stereotype of the 'mad

the glorious past of the Parsis and has been documented in sufficient detailby sociologists and historians. What the current crop ofParsi writersarc doing is focussing on the present- with all its problems. For an endangered commu­ nity, whose nearly zero birthrateand high death rate points in the direction of eventual annihilation, it is apt to take these facts into account and face them squarely, ratherthan dwell in a com­ forting past. When these writers focus on these apparently 'unflattering' de­ tails of being a Parsi today,they are not trying to run Parsisdown but affirm their Parsi roots -understand what it means to be a Parsi. Understand that being a Parsi is not just about the Tatas and the Wadias or Naorojis, but that itis about roots from which there is no escape, only understanding. As Meher Pestonji has said in the poem that pref­ aces her collection of stories:

Once I said it with pride

I don't wear a sudra Or kusti

I don't read or write Gujarati

Just about speakit

I'm only accidentallyborn A Parsi ....

It took years to discover

from Iran, the secondfrom

ma rrzage

Bawaji.' Mistry's

Tales

You

can't escape roots

the colonial space and fi-

nally the post colonial one<"-oilier parsi stories

to the West. All these diasporas have led to com­ plex and apparently con­ tradictory feelings of iden­ tification and alienation from both the old as well as new homelands.

At this point it would

from Firozsha Baag had

its own detractors. In fact, he had preempted such criticism by making the father of the narratorof one of his stories, 'Swim­ ming Lessons,' say: "There should have been something positiveabout

the Parsis, there was so

In searchof

An identity.

In the final analysis this makes Parsi literature today an 'identitarian litera­ ture' in which the Parsis are in search of their own roots which will in turn lead them to a betterunderstanding of their present and enable them to cope with the not very optimistic reality of their

passage into the future.

be appropriate to mention that Pars is were writing in

Meher Pestonji much to be proudof the

great Tatas ..SirDinshaw

The openingstory of Pestonji's col­ lectionbest illustrates how Parsis will

English and in Gujarati much before

Sidhwa's novel The Crow Eaters ap­ peared in1978. Behramji Malabari

wrote poetry, travelogues and was a practising journalist in English and Gujarati in the 19th century. Cornelia Sorabji's shortstories and autobiogra­ phies were published in the early years

213 Parsiana August2000

Petit... or DadabhaiNaoroji ...he should

have found someway to bring some of these wonderful facts into his stories, what wouldpeople reading these sto­ ries think,those who do not know the Parsis - that the whole community was full of cranky,bigoted people ..."

The point howeveris that this was

haveto adjust to changed realitiesand come to terms with post colonial India. The narratorof this story 'Mixed Mar­ riage' is the parjaat vahu (non-Parsi daughter-in-law) offering an outsider's view on the community. Such a view could providedistance and objectivity. The story revolvesaround how Savita

adjusts to her Parsi surroundings and how in turn her Parsiparents-in-law make their own adjustments to theirHindu daughter-in-law. The image of Cyrus as the supportive husbandwho backs up his wife in almost all her decisions -including the giving of a non-Parsi name to their daughter- is a very positive one of the end-of-the­ millennium Parsi man.

However, there is a fly in the oint­ ment in the shape of Makku masi. This lady embodiesall that's the worst among contemporary Parsis,a monumental snobbishness, a looking down upon other communities and a dogmaticad­ herence to the rules of Zoroastrianism, rather than its liberal spirit.This is one of Pestonji'sbetter stories in which the message, let Parsis open up to the In­ dian world, is there but is subordinated to the actual narrative, which in turn exhibits definiteliterary merits.

Thisis not the case with the story 'Riot.' Here the tone is overtlydidactic and almostjournalistic. The writer be­ comes a reporterof events ratherthan an interpreter. Literature can also in­ struct but by providing insights rather

servant Rosie, a trusted old retainer, who after Najamai's husband's death, and her own fall, has becomeincreas­ ingly arrogant. There is alsoNajamai's young granddaughter, Armaity, whowas going to get married to Xerxes. Najamai begins crocheting a lace sari for her wedding. The lace sari becomes a leitmotif in the story and runs like athread through it. It provides the back­ drop against which Najamai battles Rosie's dictatorial behaviorand her own weakness. The sari becomes a poi­ gnant symbol of loss and death when Xerxes dies in a motorcycle accident.It is also the sari thatbrings the two women, Najamai and Rosie, together.

Pestonji's first collection is thus a mixed bag of finely tuned narratives and jarringly didactic ones. However, it is a collection that is worth reading and alsoone that makes the reader look forward to more mature, sensitive and less instructive offerings from Pestonji in future.

BOOK NOTES

Auseful companion

astrian touristto Iran should be with­ out."

In addition to 'Travel Information and Tips to Iran,' which includesnug­ gets on accommodation, currency, cus­ tom clearance, dress code, useful Farsi phrases, listing of important events,a brief historical listing and the like, the 142-page booklet makes special men­ tion of areas like Tehran, Ramadan,Kermanshah, Esfahan, Shiraz, Yazd... There is a separate sectiondevoted to the famous seven Pirs or shrines in Iran.

Readers would also be interested to

learn of the prevailing food habits in Iran. Tea is generallyserved every­ where, without milk ...Iranians are very fond of cucumberand have it at any time of the day. Also there is always a bowl full of seasonal fruitsand a tray of dry fruits and nuts ready to be offeredto visitors ...

Those interested in obtaininga copy of the book can contact the author at B- 9, Anand Vihar, StMartin'sCross Road, Bandra (W), Bombay 400050,Tel: 6452247.

Faith in forecasts?

than by giving direct messages. As the

Absurdist dramatist Ionesco had said: "I'mnot a postman, I don'tgive mes­ sages." 'Riot' focusses on the Bombay riots in 1992-93, after the demolitionof the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya and has Hindu, Muslim and Parsi characters. The central character is a Parsi woman, Rashna, who is a professional social worker who runs a women's center in the Dharavi slums with Tahira, a Mus­ limwoman. During the riots Tahira is in need of being rescuedfrom Hindu mobs which might attack her home. Rashna tries in vain to mobilize her Parsi friendsto go and get her Muslim friendout of danger, but meets with only indiffer­ ence or hostility. Finally, it's a Hindu man who rescues Tahira.This gives Pestonji the temptation topontificate and offer advice to Parsis on how they should behave in such situations. This intrusion is the one which actuallyproves to be detrimental to the ultimate impact of the storywhich in itself is very powerful.

'Transience' is a storyinwhich

Pestonji has avoided the temptation of sermonizing and is I think the best and most sensitivestory in the collection. It is about human relationsand the vul­ nerability of old age. Najamai, the old woman in the story, is dependent on her

214 Parsiana August 2000

"A visittoIran,atleastonceina "Peace and joy betweenIndia and Paki­

lifetime of every Parsi is a must, not stanaround 200 l ...lndia becomes a su­ only forits wonderful climate,butfor perpower around January 2008-Janu­ the appreciation of its past glory and ary201l...China will be as big a super­ fame," notes theintroduction to the power as India and around 2004 the twosecondeditionofGuidetoZarthoshtrian Asian giantswillbeveryclose...The Historical Places in Iran compiled byUSSRwillagainbeonearound Aspandyar SohrabGotla. The first edi-20 ll ...the influenceof the USA will be tionof this book was publishedin 1997considerably lesson andafter July but was exhausted within a few months, 2005...Germany comesintoher own states the authorin his preface. "Hence around2008. So very surprisingly does there was a great need forthe secondJapan...All the Africancountrieshave and revisededition,up- ••••••• tremendous poise and

dating the previousdata i'lltl power and God's plenty

in the secondedition, X man"BejanDaruwalla

"With so manytoursto · 6"l .·, ·•in The MillenniumYear-

hu e s ru\: IIf· ·........•.• •····. h l;'

before they embarkon· . . . ...... . his general statementthat

their journey. Thanksto"the 21st century will be

Gotla, the voidisnow 'Y'. ,....,. the best in the historyof

filled with this handy, .._, mankind."

pocket-guide on Iran. If Computer buffsmay you carry this only-one-of-its-kind hook, be interested to learn thatasper you won't have to panic if you find Daruwalla's predictions, from March yourself without a human guide in even11, 2003 "computers will be human­ the remotest part of Iran. Surely an ized e.g. if you go to a computer for an indispensable 'friend' whichno Zoro- astrological reading, the computerwill

actually listen to you, even laugh and weep with you, besidesgiving you solid guidance based on planetaryplacings and configurations ...By AprilS,20 II...it could mean computers reproducing themselves, a new technique may be there to actually show the soul as it leaves or enters a body -thus setting the seal on the vexed questionof our immortality."

For India in particular, Daruwalla holds, "Isee the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) as the party of the 21st century though it obviously suffers from diar­ rhoea of the tongue,violent communal­ ism, narrow vision ..." The 21st century is not for SoniaGandhi andJ. Jayalalitha, believes the master astrologer who ad­ mits: "Astrology is certainly not hun­ dred percentaccurate and thingsmay not happen on the exact date and month stated/predicted. Give a margin please, of three months, eitherway. Also please understand that I could go wrong.I am not infallible." The two-page introduc­ tion to the authorin the book describes him as "Asia's most widely read as­ trologer ... Bejan is an outstanding per­ former!The beauty is that he loves to laugh at himself, never at others!" In his own words, "Doubt my intelligence,

but not my integrity."

With his commongrouping of disas­ ters -earthquakes, floods, fires, storms, typhoons, air crashes, shipwrecks, as­ sassinations- one does not know how seriously to be wary of the "possible" dates forIndia:

"January 21 to

February 22, March 24 to May 23 (really critical), July 23 to Septem­ ber 17 (also tough and rough),Octo­ ber 21 to Novem-

ber 23, 2000." Mchto: agoinst

"It's all there women abuse

- the good,the

bad and the ugly. Take it with a pinch of salt...That way it's reallywonderful becausethere are no real disappoint­ ments and the delights are doubled," says Daruwallain his section on 'How to make the most of your forecast' in The Millennium Yearbook.

This Millennium Yearbookcontains

yearly, monthly and detailed week-by­ week forecasts according to the lunar calendar, dwelling on the personality traits, love life, marriage, business/ca­ reer, friendship, family, children, travel,

as mentions a blurb on the back cover. The book hopes to "smash all existing records in sales, justas Daruwalla has broken all records in astrologicalpre­ dictions ...We are printingI,00,000 cop­ ies; a record breakingnumber! Yes, we have blind faith in our readers!" notes the 465-page paperback pricedatRs 140and published by Hind PocketBooks

(P) Limited, 18-19,Dilshad Garden, G.

T. Road, Delhi110095.

Mind-blowing,Body Blows In December 1999 a volume ofplays was released by Seagull Books at a function held at Rotary Sadan, Calcutta. On the occasion Kamla Bhasin, veteran activist for women's rights,presented songs from the women'smovement; and the first copy of Body Blows: Women, Violence and Survival, acom­ pilation of three plays by threewell­ known playwrights, was presentedto her by the eminent writer,Mahasweta Devi.

The book has an introductory essay by C. S. Lakshmi, the noted Tamil writer familiar to her readers as Ambai. In her short but meaningful introduc­ tion Ambai talks of the battering women receive (the abuse can be physical, men-

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216 Parsiana August 2000

tal or insiduous) in a patriarchal soci­ ety,and insightfully exploresthe im­ ages of violence againsty,romen that are mirrored in ourepics,

songs and poems, in our myths and folklore. Fed on these,the girl child grows up accepting these 'body blows' as a way of life for herself.

Yet things are chang­ ing. Women are chal­ lenging the cultural fab­ ricwhich sanctions their victimhood and the three plays in this 155-pagc volume (publishedby SeagullBooks Private Limited, 26 Circus A'­ enue, Calcutta 700017: price: Rs 250) are part

of the ongoingeffort to protestagainst the abuse and the acquiescence.

In Manjula Padmanabhan's play, Lights Out, the daily mystery of heart­ rending screams from a woman in obvi­ ous pain destroys the fabric of domes­ ticity of a middle-class couple. The rape takesplace off stage and can be watched by the protagonists by merely pushing backthe window curtains of

their living room. The women arc an­ guished witnesses, the men fascinated and morbidlycurious. But no one does

anything. They just stand and watch the woman being brutal­ ized in the neighboring compound.

Getting Away With Murder, Dina Mehta's play, was onthe short) ist of seven spe­ cially commended plays out of 902 entries submitted for the BBC World Playwriting Competition, 1989.It is about three women who sustaintheir friendship through 'body blows'like child­

hood rape, infidelity and the shame of being "thatjoke of nature -a barren woman."

The third play, Mangalam,by Poile Sengupta is set in a Tamil middle-class Brahmin home. The mother,Mangalam, a victim of rape, is now dead and Dorai, her husband,had apparently mistreated her, yet his sufferingover the fact that he was conned into marryinga pregnant

woman is genuine.Other relationships within the family are probed too. In Act II the events of the first act (completein itselt) become part of a play witnessed by a 'modern' audience that criticizes Man galam's story and the language and action of the play as contrived and false. Yet theirown lives mirrorsimilar dis­ appointments and betrayals and by this clever scripting Sengupta shows how abuse and violence can span genera­ tions.

Mehta's play, sandwiched between Padmanabhan's Lights Out and Sen­ gupta's Mangalam, isin many ways different from the pair that bracketsit.In Getting Away With Murder Mehta, too, highlights the servitudeand the abuse women are heir to, but she also applauds their inherent strengths. "We can be goddessesif we want it enough," says Sonali.And even when cast as victims, the women are made to accept some responsibility for their discm­ powcrmcnt. "Itis in our minds, Mal­ lika, that we arc underlings," says Raziya. Despite the odds,no woman need remainpassive under persecution

-at least not the educatedone -

Mehta is saying Andnotallmenarc

continued on page256

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Registered Office

70, Nagindas MasterRoad (Meadows Street),Fort, Mumbai 400023 Telephone: 2653287

218 Parsiana August2000

MILESTONES

This issue of Parsiana presents Milestones data for the two months of June and July 2000. A few uames. (ram the Ma'{ death list as well as some of the outsta­ tion data that was held out from the June-Julyissue due to con­ straints of space are also repro­ duced herein.

The ageof Zoroastrian brides (as listed in this issue) ranged between20 and 48 years, the arithmetic mean-the total num­ bcrofindividual ages divided by the total number of brides - being 26 years. The correspond­ ing figuresfor the groomswere 24 and 56 years, averagingat 31 years.

As compared to 26 babies born in the two months in Bombay there were 163 Zoroas­ trians who breathed their last. Heart disease felled 53 victims

AHMEDABAD

MARRIED

Benaisha Tamboli of Navsari, daughter of Freny and late

Jal, and Piruz Khambatta,

son of Persis and Areez on July 21,2000

BOMBAY

BORN

Aboy, Noshir, to Nita and

Zarir Langrana;April 21

A girl to Diana and Kaizad Vesuna; June I

A girlto Ruxana and Fredy Hansotia; June 3

A girl to Minaz and Jimmy

Mmzeckshaw; June 5

Agirl to Anahita and Cyrus Ghaswala; June 6

Aboy to Dimple andZarksis Gotla; June 8

A girl toBehroze and Homiyar Banker;June I0

A girl to Ana/zit a andPhiroze Havaldar; June I0

A girl to Ashwini andAshutosh Mahajan; June 15

A girl to Rozana and Nozer

Raimalwala; June 17

A girl to Melzer and Farhad Hoz.dar; June 19

A boy to Renuka and Pravin Deokar; June 2 I

A boy to Maneck andYazdi Pundole; June 27

A boy to Monaz and Neville Daruwala; July I

A boyto Nazreen and Percy Vakharia; July 3

A girl, ?arena, to Binaifer and

221 Parsiana August 2000

of whom 29 were in the 80+ age group. Pneumonia and lung dis­ ease took a toll of 17 patients whereas l4 succumbed ta brai.u disease and 12 to general debil­ ity and old age. Cancer claimed II lives, septicemia, I0 and hy­ pertension, eight.Three Zoroas­ trians each fell prey to asthma, kidney failure,malaria, diabe­ tes, Parkinson's diseaseand shock and two each to hacma­ tcmcsis (vomiting ofblood), head injury and liver disease.There were 15isolatedcases registered for June and July, they being: splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen),hepatic encephal­ opathy, quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs),AIDS, diar­ rhoea, hypothyroid, Alzheimer's disease, intestinal perforation, malnutrition, marasmus(wast­ ing away of the body without

Karl Sahukar;July 8

A boy, Rehan, to Ruzheh and

DaraiusMehta, brother to Farhan; July I0

Agirl to Zenovie andJimmy

Vazifdar; July 17

A girl to Tanaz and Freddy Sopariwalla; July 19

A girl to Pervin andKhursheed Choksy; July 22

Aboyto Meherzin and Cyrus

Turel; July 24

Aboy, Adarvan, toBakhtawar and Percis Satha; July 25 Twins (boys)to Shehnaz andRustom Billimoria; July 26

Agirl, Benaz, to Bakhtavar

and Viraj Kapradewala;

July 27

A girl to Parizad and Jams/zed Patravala;July 30

A boy to Zmfshan and

Hosheder Amaria; July 31

MARRIED

Delna Jahangir Contractor and Burgese Rohinton Pithawalla; May 19 De/shad Sm·osh Dastoor

and Khushro Kerfegar Antia;

May 21

Farnaaz Marzban Pavri ofPoona and Zubin Jal Dotivala ofAmravati; May 28

Parizad Pallonji Patel andCyrus Nasharwanji Patel ofKudiana, Dist Surat;June 4 Delna Malcolm Bodlzanwalla of Balasore, Orissa and Adil Noshir Davar; June 6

Katy Dosabhoy Shroffand

apparent cause),kyphoscoliosis (lateral curve of the spinalcord), anemia, peritonitis (intlamma­ ti..au at: the. 'i.ctCII.!.'i. me.mbca.t\.e'i. that line the abdominal cavities), ulcer and pyrexia (elevation of the body temperature above nor­ mal).A stillborn baby was also lost to the community. The age range fluctuated between 40 and

97 years. The Zoroastrian life expectancy at birth for the two months, in Bombay, was 77 years.

The data on births,marriages

and deathshas been compiled from information supplied by various newsletters and anju­ mans in India and abroad, courts and hospitals. This information is not always completeor con­ sistent: we are unable to carry data from areas where the anjumans do not furnishthe par-

Pervez Maneckshaw Movewalla; June II Dilkhush Adil Dubash and HarvespNoshir Engineer; July 14

DIED

NajooHirjibhai Bhesania (65), I2, SakerbaiPetit Block, Tardeo, 400008; May 29

Soli Nadarsha Karbhari (74),

8/1, Lady Ratan Tata Bldg, Turner Rd, Bandra, 400050; May 29

Jimmy (Jami) Sorabji

Bharucha (86), M/56, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Road, 400039;

May 30

Jer Dossabhoy Daboo (82), Avan-Abad, 6, Walton Rd, Off S. B. Singh Rd, 400039; May 30

Sheroo Boman Mistry(73), 2,

Dr EngineerBldg, Kashinath St, Tardeo,400034; May 30 Sheheriar Dinshawji Panthaki (77), 738, Shirin Villa, Rd no

5, Parsi C1ny, Dadar, 400014;

May 30

Sam Jelzangir Poonjiaji(Patel) (71 ), 25, Om Sai Prasad Co-op Hsg Soc, V. S. Marg, Virar

(E), Dist Thana, 401303; May 31

Savak Hormusji Writer(86),

C/10, Om Kailash Ganga, PI NoI 052, Devidayal Ngr, Mulund (W),400080; May 31 Cool Nadershah Coiporia

(97), 17/24, UTI Officers Qtrs, Bandra (W), 400050; June I

ticulars; the birth figures for Bombay arc supplied by two hos­ pitals- birthsin suburban hos­ qiJ.a..l..<>. a.Rciqc\.'Za.t... t\.l.l.t.:<>.\.t\.'<c Qm, <>. are not included unless individu­ als send us information together with a copy of the birth certifi­ cate. There may be an inadvert­ ent repetitionof names in the marriage list when a civil mar­ riage precedesa religious cer­ emony. In the breakup of deaths according to illnesses, especially of the elderly, death is often due to acombination of severaldis­ eases.

If readers have any births/ marriages/deaths they would like published, some proof to ensure the veracityof the report would be required. We are sure our readers would appreciate this requirement and cooperate with us.

FrenyEruchshaw Katrak (73), 568, Pushpavati Bldg, Chira Bazar, 400002;June 2

Fali Erachshaw Paymaster

(70), 212, Ist Main, 5th Cross, Domlur Layout,Bangalorc, 560071;June 2

Feroze CowasMehta (80),

4/35, A. H. Wadia Baug, Pare! Tank Rd, 400033; June 2 DhunmaiJehangirji Sukhadia (94), 127/2,Bora Bazar, Fort, 400001; June 2

SavakJamshedji Banker (78),

F-4, Sangam Bhavan, Colaba, 400005; June 3

Jehangir Ardeshir Edu!Behram

(74), 646, Gai Bldg, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar,400014; June 3

Nergiz DarashawKapadia (80), F-1 0, CusrowBaug, S. B. Rd, 400039; June 3

Minoo Dhunjisha Chothia

(76), Ganesh Bhavan, 149,

Cumballa Hill, 400036;June 4

Fali Dadablwy Laskari(90), 6, Old Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 400007;June 4

Nargesh Nani Palkhiwalla

(82), Commonwealth, 181,

Backbay Reel, 400020;June 4

Cool Homi Variava(74), 12, La Citadelle, 99, M. Karve Rd, 400020; June 4

Fali Manekji Battiwalla (70),

Soonawalla Bldg, I2th Cross Lane, Khetwadi, 400004;

June 5

Jams/zed Sheriar Elavia (85), 54, Gopal Mans, TurnerRd,

sanitary fittings

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222 Parsiana August 2000

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224 Parsiana August 2000

(68), C-10/16, LIC Clny,

Borivli (W), 400103; July 4

Jehangir Behramji Sattha (74), B/3, Benit Bldg, S. B.

Bharucha Baug, S. V. Rd,

Andheri, 400058; July 4

JerSapal Balaporia (85), Soonawala Bldg, 12th Cross Lane, Khetwadi,400004;

July 5

Shirin Bomansha Bhavnagri

(85), 721, Batliwalla Bldg, Dr Din shaw Master Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 5 Phiroze Merwanji Guard (86),23/M-3, Cama Park, Cama Lane, Andheri (W), 400058; July 5

Homai Pestonji Panthaky (94), 605, Karim Manzi),Opp Wadiaji Atash Behram, J. S. S. Rd, 400002; July 5

Khurshed Maneksha Cooper (70), Retreat Bglw, 64, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; July 6

Bapoo Ratanshaw Maloo (86), 38, Station Ter, Sleater Rd, 400007; July 6

JalAdergi Vajifdar (78), Sheri House, Cowasji Patel St, Fort, 400001; July 6

Keki Hormazji Irani (83). 13,

Cama Bldg, Marzban Clny, Gilder Lane, 400008; July 7 Morwariz RustomMondegar (92), A/6, Shakti Sadan, LamingtonRd. 400007: July 7 Freny Ruttonshaw Dharwar (64), Yusuf Manzi I, Cassinath St, Tardeo, 400034; July 8 Coomi Naval Merchant(75), 784/A, C. J. Block 3, M. Joshi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 8

Darabsha Nusservanji Moolla (91), 502, Vatcha Gandhi Bldg, Vatcha Gandhi Rd, Gamdevi, 400007;July 8 Rustom Burjor Aibara (79),Rockdale, 16, L. D.Ruparel Marg, 400006; July 9

Dinoo Rusi Daruwalla(73),

Lalkaka Hse, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014;July 9 Tehmurasp Manchershaw Madan (78), 7/309, Zaveri Bldg, Raja Rammohan Roy Rd, 400004; July 9

Kurush Shapurji Chinoy (49), 76/4, West View, Jain Soc, Sion (W), 400022; July 10

SherooBurjorji Ghaswalla (70), N. M. Petit Widows' ChawI, Modi St, Fort, 40000I; July 10

Homai Rustom Irani (86). 34/A-3, Khan Block, New Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 400007; July 10

Cawasji Dosabhoy Katki (83), A/28, Vijay Kunj, Vakola Masjid. Santacruz(E), 400054; July10

Sheroo MehrwanjeeOomrigar (83), 33/5, Prabhakar Kunte Co-op Hsg Soc, (Saurabh)Adarsh Ngr, Oshiwara, 400103; July 10

Nariman Navroji Patel (74),

275/S, Albless Bldg, Chikalwadi, Grant Rd, 400007; July 10

Tehmurasp Savak Contractor (76). Cozy Corner, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari(W), 400102; July 11

Faredoon Behram Kaifer (57). Dev Chhaya,Irani Rd, Dahanu

Rd, 401602; July 11

Freny PirojshaMistry (84), Olympus Apts. M. Chotani Rd, Mahim, 400016; July 11

SamKaishroo Sahukar (70), 36/203, Chhaya,Swami Samarth Ngr. Andheri(W), 400053; July 11

Baby ofZenobia Noshir

Sanjana (stillborn), G/9,

Munshiff Bldg, Captain Clny, Tardeo, 400034;July II Shiavax Rustom Sanjana(81), 56, Shangrilla, Colaba,

400005; July11

Khorshed Bhikaji Jijina (89), 3, Lily Court, 1st Pasta Lane, Colaba, 400005;July 12 Dhun DarabshaMewawalla

(84), Chhtriwalla Bldg. Wadia

St.Tardeo. 400034; July 12 Bomi F1omiModi (75), B/3, Silver Oaks Est, Off B. Desai Rd. 400026; July12

Freni Burjor Karanjawala

(70), 794, Family Hse, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 14 A/lao Darasha Kavina(88), A/64, Vikas Finlay Towers, Pare) Tank Rd, 400033;

July 14

Neville Rusi Darbhari(40),

B/201, Serene Jeejeebhoy Bldg. Babhola Chulner Rd,

Vasai Rd (W), 401202;July 15

Putla Munchersha Engineer

(80), 12, Kenna way Hse, 63/A,

Proctor Rd, 400004; July15

Banoo Jal Siganporia (78), Jijibhai Bldg, 5111, Khan Est, Mahim, 400016; July 15 Hilla Homyar Dastoor(80),

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226 Parsiana August 2000

C/oT. Mogul, Next to Banaji Fire-temple, Fort, 400001;

July 16

Burjor Jamshedji Jussawalla

(82), Gamadia Bldg, Gamadia

Clny, Tardeo, 400007; July 17 Goof Gustasp Karkaria(80), B/5, Rustom Baug, VictoriaRd, Byculla, 400027;July 17 Ratan RustomjiSiganporia (78), A-401, Ahura Divecha Complex, Edalji Rd, Thana, 400601; July 17

Goo[ Jehangir Chothia (82),

I,Sai-Ashish, Dr Peter Dias Rd, Bandra, 400050;July 20 Minocher JivanjiBhagwagar (75), 7, Dubash Block, Old KhareghatClny, Hughes Rd, 400007; July 21

Minocher Byramji Cooper

(85), 33, Balaram Bldg,

Balaram St, 400007; July 21

Tehmina Hoshi Elavia(53), F/21, Cusrow Baug,S. B. Rd, 400039; July 21

Aloo Honnasjee Mistry(82),

110/43/C, Manish Ngr, J.P. Rd, Andheri(W), 400053; July 21

228 Parsiana August 2000

Khodabux Mahiyar Irani (68), Meher Mans, Jamshedji Petit Rd, Grant Rd, 400007; July 22 Aloo Erach Mehta (75), Commonwealth, Madam Cama Rd, 400020;July 22

Gulestan Spitman Parekh (85),

Anchorage, Vatcha Gandhi Rd, Gamdevi, 400007;July 22 Khorshed Dinshawji

Siganporia (81), Q/1, Cusrow

Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039;

July 22

Firoz Kharshedji Driver(56),

10, Dr Daji Bldg, Mahim, 400016; July 23

Burjorji Khursedji Patel (84),

Todywalla Bldg, Dr G. D. Ambedkar Rd, Parel, 400012; July 23

Daly Naoroji Adagara(85),

Union Bldg, 54, Sleater Rd, 400007; July 24

Jer Jehangir Dhondy (80),

Sea-shells, DarabshawLane, Off NapeanSea Rd, 400026; July 24 ·

TehminaMinu 1/illoo (72), 7119, Panthaki_ciny Andheri (E), 400069; July 24

MehrooSam Marker (80), 202, Triveni Hse, 13th Back Rd, Khetwadi, 400004; July 24 Kaikhushru Ratanshaw

Dubash(82); 12, Gool Mhl,

Sleater Rd, 400007; July 25 Goo[ MerwanjiSunavala (78), N4,Shapur Baug, V. P. Rd, 400004; July 25

ManeckRatanshaw Shroff (65), 4/382-B,Pawvalla Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; July 26 Dhunjishaw Ratansha Bharucha (80), 8/A, Parekh Bldg, Marzban Clny, Gilder Lane, Bhadkamkar Marg, 400008;July 27

Perin Manecksha Elavia(74),

630, KhareghatRd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 27

Perin Ratansha Hansotia (73), 112, Malegaonwalla Bldg, M.

M. C.Rd, Mahim, 400016;

July 27

RustomArdeshir Navder (89),

3/15, Jamasp Tata Block, S. V. Rd, Bandra (W), 400050;

July 27

Perin Ratanshaw

Chainarbtfgwah(93), Parel

Hse, Dr E. Borges Rd, Pare!, 400012; July 28

Nergish Homi Engineer(90),

13-14/1, Dhunbaiwadi, Vile Parle (W), 400056; July 28 Jal Byramji Karanjia(86), Sunnyville, St Cyril Rd, Bandra, 400050; July 28 Sherbanoo Cooverji Wadia (74), 106/B, KrishnaNivas, Mahavir Hosp, M. B. Est, Virar (W), Dist Thana, 401303; July 28

TehmiHonnusji Bharucha

(88), 8/2, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; July 29

Dina Honnusji Chowna (76),

42, Akash Ganga, New Link Rd, Oshiwara, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; July 29

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AUSTRALIA

DIED

Aspandiar K. Noble (79),

father of Rohinton in Perth; February13

New South Wales

MARRIED

Havovi Bonshai andSteven Yezdabadi in Sydney; April13 Sharon Madan and Sheriar Pestonjeein Sydney; April 22

CANADA

British Columbia

BORN

Agirl, Shawna, to Atousa and

Peyman Naderi inNorth MARRIED January 27 Daisy Vazifdar (77), wife of Vancouver; April 6 Zenobia Marker,daughter of Dadabhoy K. Limki (78); Jehangir and mother of Phiroze

Nergish and Sarosh, and February 14 and Zarin; June 8

MARRIED Mehrbad Dastur,son of Ahan Minocher M. Sidhwa (87); Edul Jehangir Sanjana (82),

Zarrin Blwrucha, daughter of and Dinshaw;July 8 February 15 June 12

Banoo and Rusi, and Zarir Gulshan Bhesania,daughter Vera Rusi Klwry (68); Purmaya Guzder-Saihan (59),

Dadinatha of New of Sanober and Kersi, March 11 wife of Eric and mother of

Westminster, son of Villy and and Rushad Amaria, son Franey Billimoria (82); Zubin and Cyrus; July 4

Minoo in Coquitlam; April 29 of Shernaz and Adi; March 13

Lily Gupta and Bobak July 21 Huma Eruch Bulsara (58); Bedfordshire

Goshtasbi in Calgary;May 20 March 22 DIED

DIED Roshan Lovji Wadia(76); KekhasaruC.Vandriwala

DIED Furdoon Nardirshaw Wadia March 22 (71). 28, Spencer Rd, Bedford,

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USA

Arizona

DIED

California

MARRIED

Parvaneh Sales and Jamshid Slwghliof North Vancouverin Los Angeles; March 4

lJ!ElJ

lijooFramroze Motivala (73), husband of Roshan and father of Sarosh and Farida Nosh Bahadurji in Los Angeles; February 20

Illinois

MARRIED

VabeezBachana, daughter of Behroze and Parvez of Bombay, India, and Erach Songadwalla of Moline, Illinois, son of Behroze and Sarosh in Chicago; May 7

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BORN

A girl, Stephanie Anne, to

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PERCY AND KAIZAD ROADLINES

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FIGURES AT A GLANCE*

Bombay

•Running totalsfor 1999(January1999-August 2000issues) oRunning totals for 2000 (January2000-August 2000issues)

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

*These figures pertain to information provided to or collected by Parsiana. They do not represent the total number of births, marriages and deaths in the Zoroastrian community in India and abroad.

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BORN

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Aboy, Zarvan, to Roxane and Coover Chinoy, brother to Xerxes in Detroit;

May 28

New Jersey

DIED

Villy Gandhi, wife of Homi and mother of Hanoz and Navroz; July 15

Oklahoma

BORN

A boy, Christy, to Debbie andKersi Bharucha, brother to Nicholas; April 18

Pennsylvania

BORN

A girl, Freya, to Shireen and HormuzshawWania; February 24

DIED

Goolcher Jehangir Morris,

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Rhode Island

MARRIED

Mitra Nadjmi, daughter of Manijeh and Borzoo,and Rashnavad Rashidi; May 27

Texas

MARRIED

Mitra Mehta, daughter of Ouvnere and Behramjiand Armnan A vasia in Houston; December 26, 1999

Shernaz Polad, daughter of Goolu and Sam, and Cyrus Bogha, son of late Homai and Jehangirin Houston; June 11, 2000

Meher Patel ofDubai and Aresh Rustomji in Houston; July 28

DIED

Khorshed Jalejar Sidhwa, mother of Yazdi in Houston; June 17

Virginia

BORN

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Compiled by Roxana A. Driver

MELLOW MEMORIES

continued from page 188

points out the discrimination he faceswithin the community for doingthe kind of work he does. "Women pull their pall us close in a reflex action when they pass me. Even men don't like my sight," he told this reporter at his home in Mody Colony, Poona. He rues that non-Parsis appreci­ ate and honor him more than fel­ low Parsis,adding, "Parsis think being a khandhia is an easy job; it's not, believe me."

What began as voluntary work to tide over the shortageof pallbearers in Poona soon became full-time. He be­ gan by getting Rs 15 per month - "which felt like Rs 500 then." Today, the Rs 1,100 he gets for the noble task is notenough to maketwo ends meetfor him and his young son. His wifeused to supplement the family income by pro­ viding bhonas (tiffins). Afterher death, Cooper continues to do the same but on a far smaller scale."What to do? Every family which relocates to Poona from Bombay gets into catering."

Was the experience of workingwith seniorcitizens uplifting or depressing

Samar (left)and VijayJodha

for the brothers? "We felt pretty good at the end of each day althoughthe aging scenario in India is depressing in many ways. But there are some good things happening too. Old age is all about the human spirit-the way people are not willing to give up, whateverthe odds. We also found the old to be far more open, generousand perhaps less conser­ vative in many ways than the young. It was a real eye opener," smiles Vijay.

Parsisin focus

"It was a veryconscious decision to cover

the Parsis. Being a small, dwin­ dling community(like the Jews), we realized that certain cultural traditions and processes will soon pass into history. We wanted to preserve that in our own small way throughour photographs. As it is. all the people coveredhere willnot be with us in the next 20- 30 years. We actuallywanted to do a separate projecton the Parsis but withoutresources and access, we can't.What we have on dis­ play here is a small part of that endeavor.

"It is easy to notice the changes coming about in a small community like yours.A whole cultural lifestyle and ways are disappearing, customs are not being followed and the young are leaving for foreign shores.It's still a very prosperous community but we also know that there's a lot of poverty. That's interesting. The Parsis have played a tremendous role in Indian society ... that's also an interesting thing worth working on. No one's quite donethis, so that's the inspiration that can drive one towards it. Someone has to put all these things together." - Samar and Vijay Jodha.

236 Parsiana August 2000

IN MEMORIAM

A manof manycauses

Arnavaz S. Mama

The little old man in the crumpledcotton suitvoiced his concern.The subject could have been environmental degre­ dation,the status of women and children in a runaway population, the erosion of heritage structures, the rampant corrup­ tion eatinginto India's body politic, the scientific managementof industry and its obligations to society, international relations, Indo-Iranian history and cul­ ture, contemporary art...

Likecartoonist Laxman's beloved

'commonman,' he watchedthe unfold­ ing scenariowithpainandbewilder­ ment. Unlike Laxman's character, how­ ever,bachelor SohrabGodrej, 87, be­ longed to the ranks of India's super rich though he frowned on the fripperies of the glitterati. His usage of wealth was to endow theIndianRedCrossSociety with six acres of land at Vikhroli worth Rs30 crore to establish its Disaster Re­ lief Center, to found the PirojshaGodrej

238 Parsiana August 2000

National Conservation Centre at Delhi which is the headquarters of WWF - India (WorldWide Fund for Nature), to maintain the mangroves at Vikhroli - where 128 species of birds were sighted

-at an estimated annual cost of seven lakh rupeeson security alone.

"For me, personally, his departure

meansthe loss of an intimateand long­ standing friend \Vho was a wonderful human beingwhose head and heart func­ tioned in fine balance," wrote K. R. Narayanan, Presidentoflndia. "He was someone I had respected, someone for whom I had high affection and regard," said Maharashtra governor Dr P. C. Alexander. Referringto an earlier stint as secretarytothePrimeMinister, Alexander had once revealedthat Godrej was one of only two personshe knew who couldaccess Indira Gandhiwithout an appointment. Clearly, the silver­ haired man, leaning on his aluminium

walking stick as he made his unobtru­ sive entriesinto public meetings,had known what it was to walk with princes.

Several condolence meetings were

held in Bombayas well as in Delhi to mourn Godrej's demise. After a short, hectic officialvisit to Pariswhere it was feared that he had caught a chill, and a bumpy flightto London, he arrived physically depleted butmentally charged, to see the new Godrej office and visit the Millennium Dome. A one­ and-a-half hour trafficjam increased his discomfort and Godrej was hospital­ ized on May 17, where he breathed his last on May 20, 2000. The uthamna and other ceremonies were over by the time his body arrived in Bombay and spent the morningat Pirojshanagar where the Godrej workersqueued up to salute their

Taking pride in an orchid bloom on the terracegarden at Godrej Bhavan

departed chairman.(Thanks to the embalmer's art or to his own evolvedsoul, Godrej reposed in the freshness of sleep rather than the pallor of death.) He had been criti­ cal of undue holidays. The Godrej employees worked anormalworking day.

"Sohrabji Godrejwas by any standardsan exceptional human being ... The WWF and the Project Tiger saw him passionately involved. The question of India's population increase and the challenge of sustainable de­

velopment engaged his attention no less. SP did not see life in compartments," wrote Narayanan in a letterto Delhi Parsi Anjuman president Lt Gen (Retd) Adi Sethna.

Distinguishing Godrej'sconcern

fromthat of other activists Alexandernoted, "His concern for wildlife,trees, clean cities,etc was not peripheral or marginal. He was totallyinvolved ... When he took up a cause (it was) not merely love of the cause but an abun­ dant sense of anguish." Speaking for the

Sharing a lightermoment with President K. R. Narayanan

generation to whichthey both belonged, Alexander recalled at the condolence meet sponsored by the IndianRed Cross Society at the Homi J. H. Taleyarkhan Hall, "Wehad seen imperial domina­ tion, the struggle for freedom -how Gandhi came like a whirlwind - the thrill of freedom. the excitement. Healongwith people of that generation

expected that freedom would bring all that (they)dreamt of. They didn't believethat freedom would become a passport for self-aggrandize­ ment, for greed and corrup­ tion. He and peoplelike him, with their sensitivemind, became anguished." Refer­ ring to the successive gov­ ernments' failureto control the exploding population and the resultingdegradation of the environment, Alexander said Godrej"saw the blunder we werecommitting, the trag­ edy that was likelyto follow.

It moved him to be acrusader..."

Theresolution passed at the public meeting convenedby the sheriff of Bombay Dr AugustinePinto on June 3

-Godrej's 88th birth anniversary - recalled the two campaigns initiatedby Godrej when he becamesheriff in 1983: one againstthe ill-effects of tree-cutting (sarvajanik Holi) and the other against noise pollution (sarvajanik Divali).

The resolution of the IndianCouncil of World Affairs, Bombay branch, re­ cordedGodrej'sassociationwiththe

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bodyas secretary since its inceptionin 1948 with Sir Homi Mody as chairman until he took over as chairman from G.

L. Mehta, continuing till his demise. The resolution of the IndianMerchants' Chamber called him an industrialist with a human face.The resolution of the Indian Red Cross Society-which he had served fornearly 30 years,finally as its vice chairman- spoke of its cru­ sade for female education and concern that half a century after Independence,only 34 percentoflndia's female popu­ lation was literate.

US consul generalDavid Good said he "knew him only as a man of many causes" and referred to Nana Chuda­ sama's popular banner at Marine Drive which declared SP, as he was generally known, "Super PatriotGodrej." K. C. Mahindra, the head of the House of Mahindras,spoke of "hiseasy ability to acquire knowledge." He perceived Godrej as "never in a hurry.(He had) time for anyone who wanted to meet him."Describing him as "eclectic in the true sense of the word," Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP)chairman Jamshed Guzder referred to Godrej' s offer to support the BPP scheme to augment community numbers despitebeing com-

mitted to the cause of arrestingIndia's population growth.

Gandhian Dr Usha Mehta referred to him as a "father figure to hundredsof orphans (and) godfather to foreign stu­ dents." Recallingthe first generation Godrej connection with Gandhi, Mehta remarkedthatS. P. Godrejhad enhanced it and declaredthat June 5, considered World Environment Day, would be ob­ served as Godrej Day at Mani Bhavan. Chudasama announcedthat Giants In­ ternational had instituted the S. P. Godrej Award for FamilyPlanning and sug­ gested the creation of an International House "ifgovernment plays ball," or an

S. P. Godrej Garden.

At the BPP meet at Godrej Baug, Ervad Yezdi Panthaki, then president of the GodrejBaug Residents' Associa­ tion, suggestedthat the unnamed road leading offNapean Sea Road to Godrej Baug be called S. P. Godrej Road with the bust of his brother Naoroji installed at the entranceto the Baug he had envi­ sioned and helped create.

Noting how the Godrejphilosophy absorbed the concept of social responsi­bility long before it became a corporate byword, Avabai Wadi a, president emeri­ tus of the Family Planning Association

of India spokeof the family planning center set up by Godrej at Vikhroliin 1957 where 7,000-10,000 workersob­ serve the small familynorm (their UdayachalSchool accepts only the firstthree children of a Godrej worker) be­ cause the rubric of social responsibility

- good housing, nutrition, education

-was established there.

ToPhiroze Lam, vice president (cor­ porate) of Godrej and Boyce Manufac­ turing Company Limited, S. P. was "just not a boss but a friend (who was) in search of the impossible dream."

Former policecommissioner Julio Rebeiro recalled the unhappy circum­stances in 1970when he first met Godrej: The companyfaced labor problems which led to the murder of a police inspector and a police constable in the Godrej complex.Rebeiro noted that Godrej' s attitude towardmilitant labor leader Datta Samant was not one of anger or rancor - only of hurt. "He couldn't understand why the laborersrevolted despite the way they were looked after.(Later) when he was sher­ iff and I was police commissioner, he introduced me to trees,came to my office and planted trees in my com­ pound!"

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"We have lost a very rare species of the Royal Mumbai Tiger," remarkedWWF India's secretarygeneral Eustace D'Souza.In the post since the past 20 years, D'Souzaspoke of "stormy trustee meetings whereone trustee kept his cool andgot every point he wanted put through by gentle persuasion ...The little giant... had been to the Arctic and the Antarctic and visited every game sanc­ tuary in the country. At the age of 83he wanted to visit Leh to see how we hu­ man beings had ravaged the Himalayas." (Godrej'sniece Smita Crishnainforms

know and learn in every situation. "He wentto the people, didn'texpectthem to come to him." She commented on his "unique method of protest"- the bands

"The spartan attitude to life was never reflected in his attitude to any organization involved with good work"

invited to Godrej Bhavan.Iran's consul general Mehdi Honardoost referred to Godrej as his best friend in India. Red Cross chairman Kersi Gherda and Harish Jagtiani, president of the RotaryClub of Bombay spoke of Godrej's 48-year-old membership of the Club with 100 per­ cent attendance. "Herefrained from join­ ing Rotary earlier becausehe believed that Russia had been excludedfrom the ambit of the Club withoutjustification. He joined up whenhe learned that Russia had demandedthe shifting of the Rotary headquarters from New York to Moscow

that he didn't speakto their cousinRishad

as a preludeto its joining," noted Jagtiani.

Naoroji for a long time because Rishad reported the plan to Godrej' s doctor who put a stop to it!) Though he laughed at the small stub of a pencil Godrej was wont to carry, D'Souza noted,"The spartan attitudeto life was never re­ flected in his attitudeto any organiza­ tion involvedwith good work."

A man who was loathe to cancel

appointments, he never avoidedthe task of paying respect to the dead no matter what engagement he was requiredto break, noted Godrej chronicler Burjor Karanjia. Former University Grants Commission chairperson Dr Armaity Desai emphasized Godrej's keenness to

on his sleeve: black to mark the many

distressing events and situations in the country; white when there was occasion to rejoice. Solicitor and BPP trusteeDadi Engineer recalledthe agitated tone in which he explained them: "I am be­ reaved. You are bereaved. We all are bereaved. Look at the state of affairs in this country!"

At the variousmeetings convened by the K.R.CamaOrientalInstitute (KRCOI), the consulate general of the Islamic Re­ public of Iran, the Red CrossSociety and others, Mehra Shroff,honorary secretary oftheiran-IndiaCultural Societysaid that every Iranologist visitingBombay was

Commenting on Godrej'sability to organize,Red Cross honorarysecretary Homai Modi spoke of her consternation on the eve of the formal inauguration of the Red Cross' Disaster Relief Centre by Alexander. Witness to a day of chaos, a crestfallen Modi rang up Godrej that night to register that absolutely nothing was ready for the following day. To her amazement, by the time Alexander ar­ rived everything was ready and in place! "Godrej and we are neighbors," said Akbarally'sFakhruddinKhorakiwala, referring to the Godrej showroomabut­ ting the departmentstore at Veer Nari­ man Road.Both organizations eel-

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ebrated their centenary in 1997. Godrej is "one industrial house in India that not only propagates but practises fair busi­ ness practices," he added.

Freeof "any trappingsof power," the self-effacing Godrej'sadvice dur­ ing a Bombay Management Associa­tion election had been "Dikra, contro­ versy rna naa uterto (avoid contro­ versy)," recalled Raymonds vice presi­ dent and BPP senior trusteeMinoa Shroff.

Though brother Burjor's elder son Adi Godrej says he was out of the family ambit at an early age, in the courseof his 37 professional years at Godrej he could not but be impressed by his uncle's overriding interestin "all issuesthat led to the buildingof a civil society in In­ dia... He spent an enormous amountof time in pursuing various causes and building institutions."

Godrej' s nephew Jamshyd Godrejsuc­ ceeded him aspresident ofWWF- India. They grew "very close in the last few years after my father(Naoroji) passed away."Prior to that the main interaction was between the brothers. "His concerns were about the tiger and the environment and how I could help him at the WWF when he was president," says Jamshyd,

adding, "Thetiger was the symbol of what was happening becauseit was preyed upon and poachedupon. If you saved the tigeryou (also) saved his forestcover and the entire eco system and all the other endangered species."

Withhis nephew Nadir Godrej (Burjor'syounger son) the bond was their common interest in the French lan­ guage. He would often spend evenings with Nadir's family, talking to the chil­ dren about nature and wildlife, watch­ ing animal-based programs with them. Speaking about his uncle'spenchant for travel, Nadir narratedhow he would look for the RotaryClub and Alliance Franc;aise wherever he went. On one occasion, a disappointed Godrejhad reported to the Frenchconsul general that there was no AllianceFranc;aise in Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia,re­ called Nadir. So strongwas his commit­ ment to Rotary that he had once attendeda meet directly from the hospital, the intravenous line still in his vein, Nadir's wife Rati carryingthe bottle of fluid behind him!

"I knew Soliuncle before I became

part of his family," says Jamshyd's wife Pheroza. Their mutual interestin WWF, BNHS(BombayNaturalHistorySoci-

ety), FOT (Friends of Trees), the Heri­ tage Society and INTACH (IndianNa­ tional Trust for Art and Cultural Heri­ tage), BEAG (Bombay Environmental Action Group)and the MuseumSociety made for tremendous bonding. "We felt we were there for him, but he was more there for us,"acknowledges Pheroza re­ calling how he would inculcate the gen­ tler virtues in the children.He once had a pair of Zanzibar parrotsand was very upset when the last one died while he was on his way to Delhi. He also had Persian cats but after they died he didn't keep any more. "He was very close to the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). He built the electric cremato­ rium there in memory of Naoroji." He wanted to build a big-ger one because the presentone is not large enoughfor horses,etc, noted Pheroza.

"Bhannar, gannar nahi uta (He was

not given to saying a lot of prayers) but he would attend all ceremonies." Respecting everybody's ideas he never likedconflict. "Kaielaj lavsu;rasto sodhvo parse(there must be a remedy,we must find a way)," Pheroza recalls his desireto always bring harmony. "Helived in harmony. To live in harmony todayyou have to be a saint," notes Pheroza.

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246 Parsiana August 2000

"He always wanted to be in the dip­ lomatic service.Grandfather (Pirojsha) forced him to study science," says Smita. Though "eccentric in his own way," his genuineness got through to people and they respected him, adds Smita refer­ ring to the spate of condolence lettersand the mass that a Christian piano teacher held for him.

Smita's husband Vijay Crishna re­ calls how Godrejbecame more involved with industryafter Naoroji's passing in 1990. "He took it as the responsibility of the elder in the family to look after the businesses," says Crishna. Travelling, talking to branchpeople, giving point­ ers on the importance of public life, he made it his personal responsibility to be briefed by the secretary of the company.He took specialinterest in seeingwhether the companies were being a responsible part of the community, contributing to the growth of employeesoutside the company,continues Crishna. To be ready for the directors' meet every Thursday,Godrej would spend Wednesday night atVikhroli. "Overthese lOyearsitcame to mean a lot to the employees. He became a touchstone, the conscience of the group.(It would) come round to how one shouldcomport oneself over social

issues.It rubbed off a lot on officersdown the line. He was not just a friendlyuncle up there. He represented what we stand for..."

It was part of Rumi Majoo's duty as

Godrej's personal assistant of 15 years tokeep track of the social engagements, music, theater in Bombay, as well as programs ofBBC and old movies show­ ing on television. Accompanying Godrej on his trips abroad in the past year, Majoo relates how Godrej would per­ sonally check on his assistant's comfort on the plane and in the hotel. Though a hard taskmaster he was ever ready to acknowledge his own mistakesand apologize. His driver was instructed to dole out a packet of biscuitsand a small cake of soap from a steady stock in the car to beggarswho accosted him.

Unshaven employees roused God­ rej'sire, noted K. R. Krishnaswamy, his secretarysince 1963. He felt that it did not projecta good image for a company that manufactured toiletries. Also, he expectedpeople to be clear in their minds about what they wanted to discusswith him. To remind them to do so was a

board outsidethe door with the single word 'Think.'

He never liked to use the word 'hate,'

though'dislike' was permissible, says Krishnaswamy. Beingpresident of the English SpeakingUnion of the Com­ monwealthhe was particular that people write well and would teach good En­ glish to all his staff members. Puttingin an appearance at variousfunctions, Godrej would return to his office to work into the night. Whereverhe trav­ elled, he made it a point to meet people, understandtheir culture, tradition and way oflife. As an example of the extent to which he cared for his staff Krishna­ swamy recalledthe time he was laid up by severeback pain. Godrejnot only arrangeda consultation with Dr Jussa­ vala but sent an ambulance to fetch his secretary from home and was himself present at the hospitalto receive him.

In his tributein The Times of India, Sanctuary editor and animal activistBittu Sahgal writes about Godrej'sagitated

phone calls: "I had learned to look for­ wardto these phone calls from Sohrabjibecause they helped renew my faith in

such simplehuman qualities as purpose, humility and caring. And, as anyone

who knew him will readily agree, he had

all those traits in good measure." Godrej is survivedby his sister Dosa

K. Naoroji.

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248 Parsiana August 2000

IN MEMORIAM

The Lentin legend

Arnavaz S. Mama

Vile Parle. Afleet of State Transport buses had been organized to deport them from the city. As senior advocateM.A. Rane recountsthe event in the After­ noon Despatch and Courier (ADC), Kannada speakers were to be dropped at Belgaum, Tamilians at Solapur and Hindi

"We shall at all times, rememberhim as

one who broughtglory, admiration and respect to the legal fraternity in general, and the judiciaryin particular," noted chief justiceB. P. Singh

as he led the full Bombay High Court (BHC) refer­ ence (as a condolence meet is known in legal parlance) to retired fel­ low judge Bakhtavar B. Lentin, 72, who suc­ cumbed to disabling ner­ vous disorderson April 22, 2000.

"He conducted the court in his own way and

nobody could interfere in

nication was disrupted. Trains did not

work. The courts did not sit. Yet Len tin came to his chamber that day." Recall­ ing how Lentin "delighted in projecting

a stern image," Vahanvati

noted, "His low voice and great sense of humor de­ livered with a serious ex­ pression could daunteven a seasoned seniorwho did notknowhim."Vahanvati described Lentin'scour­ tesy to the counsel while arguments proceeded, though he invariably cut the flimsy ones topieces in the courseof his judge­ ments "which were bril­

speakers at Jalgaon."The information

ofthe operation was collected by Prafulla Bidwai, the then reporter of The Times of india during night and communicated the same night to some of us advocates who were activemembers of the Bombay branch of the People's Union For Civil Liberties (PUCL)," writes Rane.While the lawyers drafteda writ petition and moved it before Lentin who was the judge assigned for such work on July 21, 1981 -a very wet monsoonday-the authorities had razed the shantytowns while the menfolk were at work, and packed off the women and children in the waitingbuses.

"Even though theoperation had started earlymorning, the kindhearted

any manner and every- Lentin: "great sense of

body had to speak to thehumor"

point and argue the mat-

liantly written. Counsel who lost had the satisfac-

tion that their arguments

judge lookedat the downpour outsidethe High Court and observed 'Whydo

they evict the poor people in this

ter and gather his brief," added presi­

dent of the Bombay Bar Association, M.

G. Sanghavi, referring to Len tin's "com­ manding presence" which contributed to "a differentatmosphere" in his court. "Lentin had the sixth sense to know what was the real ailmentof (the) ag­ grieved party," noted V. A. Ganga), presi­ dent of the Advocates' Association of Western India, simultaneously repre­ senting the Bar Council ofMaharashtra and Goa. "Helived most of his life in front of the sea- in Chateau Marine at MarineDrive- and had a large heart like an ocean: High tides reserved for sufferers, downtrodden and aggrieved persons;low ebbs meant for the profli­ gate bodies, despotic officers, perpetra­tors of crime, looters and squeezers," continuedGangal, adding, "Theamount of publicitywhichhegotneverdis­ tractedhim from his work ... He had a knack to find out where the equity in the matterlayand had courage and (the) desire to twist and stretchthelawto

tailor justice."

Maharashtra advocategeneral Gulam Vahanvati rememberedLentin's last day in office, July 25, 1989, after24years on the bench: "Bombay experienced a near cyclone with torrential rains. Commu-

were rejectedin excellent prose."Lentin

did not like dictating his judgements but preferred to handwrite them because he was so particular, Lina Martias quoted Justice A. Jahagirdar in Mid-Day.

Born and educated in Bombay -a productofStMary'sSchool, StXavier's School, St Xavier'sCollege and Gov­ ernment Law College- exceptfor the time spent at London's MiddleTemple whencehe was called to the Bar, Lentin joined the chambersof renowned crimi­ nal lawyer K. A. Somjee on his return and was enrolled as an advocatein 1950 practising in civil and criminal matters in the BHC, recountshis bio data.

Appointed judge of the Bombay City Civil and Sessions Court (CCSC) in 1965, its principal judge in 1972, Lentin was appointed judge of the BHC in 1973 and later took administrative charge of the CCSC and was memberof various com- mittees for selection and promotion of judges to and in the subordinatejudiciary.

It was in the 1980showever that

Lentin first acquiredhis legendary sta­ tus in the eyes of the common man. In his desire to beautify Bombay,chief minister A. R. Antulay had decided to forcibly remove slum dwellers on Tulsi Pipe Road, Dadar and Kamaraj Nagar,

wretched weather?' and granted us in­

terim stay and directed the government and the Bombay Municipal Corpora­tion to bring back the people from where they weredropped and to rehabilitate them in their tarpaulin huts or humble sheds after reconstructing them pending the hearing of the petition.He person­ ally visited the sites along with the law­ yers," writes Rane. ThoughLen tin often went on site visits to satisfy himself, it is not something that too many judges do, counsel NavrozeSeervai told Parsiana.

The writ petition was ultimately called

for by the Supreme Court and decidedalong with anotherpetition filed there byjournalist Olga Tellis,informs Ran e. The landmarkjudgementestablished that the right to life included the right to shelter and to livelihood.

He had a "great abhorrence for things political.He felt politicalissues were not for the court," says Seervai. Never­ theless he ruled over cases which led to the resignation of cabinet ministers. It was seniorcounsel Ashok ·Desai,ap­ pearing for MLA (Member of Legisla­ tive Assembly) Mrinal Gore and others in the cement scandal case against Antulay who in the courseof the final hearing "convincedhimtoovercome

250 Parsiana August 2000

his abhorrence" for political issues. (Antulay had floated a couple of trustsin the name of Indira Gandhi and in thosedays of cement quotas only those buildersand promoters who do­ nated to the trusts to the chief minister's satisfaction received adequate quantitites of cement for their project.)

Demonstrating the "nexus''

betweendonations made and cement quotasreceived, Len­ tin's meticulous judgement, handwritten in Mahableshwar, held Antulay guilty of exploit­ing his position and led to his resignation.

The case demonstrated Len­

tin's unbending integrity and moral courage. It also demon­

stratedhis human qualities. As Seervai recountedthe event, the long-drawn trial had stretchedbeyond Xmas Eve. One more day was required before it could be wrapped up by the lawyers.His court

officer was a Christian who graciously agreed to continuewith the trialon Xmas day. Lentinmade it a point to publicly appreciatethis gesture with the judge

Minoa and Banoo Dastur with Jahaan, Dhun and Bomi on Jam­ shed's marriageto Stfra

and participating lawyers formallyreg·· istering their thanks in the court.

Many are the stories of his capacity to care for those aroundhim. A. S. Bhatt,

president of the Bombay Incorporated Law Society relatedan incident of a court

peon with an incessant cough whom Len tin took for treatment and was diagnosedas suffering from TB. "Lentin admitted him in hospital, paid for his entire treatment and looked after him as if he was a family member," said Bhatt.

Len tin's nurturingqualities

enfolded family and court staff as well asjunior lawyerson the threshold of their careers. "Inhis court the junior lawyer wastreated with utmost kindness and received maximumencour­ agement," saidVahanvati, add­ ing, "He would start by refus­ ing an adjournment. He would then tell the junior to go on withthematter.'Don'tworry,' he would say. 'I will help you.'

He always did."

Senior counsel Rohit Kapadiaspeaks of the onset of a strokein 1973 while Lentin's court was in session. Very jun­ ior in the legal field at that point, he had nonetheless finishedarguing before his senior counselSuresh Parekh arrived. By then the opposinglawyer was argu­ ing and Kapadia requested Parekh to

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252 Parsiana August 2000

answer the judge's queries as he felt steadily worse and passed out with his head on the table. Not totallyuncon­ scious("I was in a daze-75 percent out") Kapadiarecalls

Lentin doffing his gown,

shooing everyone away and supervising opera­ tions as he was stretched out on the long counsel's table, jacketloosened, shoes off, then rushing to get eau de colognefrom his chamber and rubbing it onhis head and feet. Kapadia was drivendi­ rectly to Bombay Hospi­

piece by piece, stringently cross-exam­ ined a host of witnesses, dug into nu­ merous files, and came up with facts that, reporteddaily and faithfully in the

Press, electrified the coun- try as no case in recent memory has done," noted Sherna Gandhyin a 12-page cover story in The Illustrated Weekly of In­ dia (February 7, 1988).

"Political clout cut no ice withthepresiding judge ... it was heartening to see oneinquirythat was entirely open, scru­ pulously fair and uncom­

Gandhy's article was born of the mounting public apprehension that the report would never be published. "So keen was the publicdesire to be privy to the reportthat a spate of writswere filed in the Bombay High Court prayingthat the State Government be directed to table the report in the Assemblyandmake itpublic,"wrote ManeckDavar in Lexetluris(April1988). The reportwas tabledin the Legislative Assemblyon March 30, leadingto the resignation of health ministerBhai Sawant.

Aweek later the motion for breach of

privilege tabled by MLA Keshavrao Dhondge casting aspersions on Lentin and the conduct of the commission came

tal by some of his friends. "I was too junior.I hardly knew him. But he came

Freni Jhabvala: first female public notary

promisingly intolerant of any attempts at subterfuge on the part of those asked

up for discussion in the Maharashtra Leg­ islative Assembly.At the specially requi­ sitioned meeting of the Bombay Bar As­

with JusticeKania to see me. I was quite

touched," Kapadia told Parsiana.

Lentin became a household word when he was deputedto investigate 14 deaths at J. J. Hospital in January and February 1986 caused by the adminis­ tration of an adulterated drug. Lentin submitted his report on November 30, 1987. "For 301 days Lentin... who headed the one-man commission, and his staff, sifted throughthe evidence,

to depose before it. This, more than

anything else, was responsible for the packed courtroom, and for making the daily Press report everyone'sfavorite breakfast-time reading. Everyone, that is, exceptthose whom the commission exposed and who tried everything from anonymous telephonecalls, bomb threats and attackson the integrity of the presid­ ingjudge, to denigrate the commission," further wrote Gandhy.

sociation presided over by the venerable constitutional authority H. M. Seervai, the lawyersunanimously passed a resolu­ tion appreciating Lentin's splendid effort and proffering whatever legalaid was necessary in case the Assembly moved for breach of privilege, recorded Davar.

Lentin himselfdeclared, "This is an

experience I would not like to undergo again ... There has been a great deal of tension, a great deal of harassment. I do

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254 Parsiana August 2000

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not exactlyrelish the idea of receiving stupid and abusivephone calls -l3 or 14inarow in the span of 15-20minutes at two o'clockin the morning."

Unlike most government appointed

commissions of inquiry,the J. J. probe was open because"it touches every­ one," Lentin told Gandhy. "Therefore it was but right that the commonman who takes drugs and who has indirectly paid for this inquiry, was entitled to know that it would be conductedimpartially and irrespective of prominent people who would be giving evidence.

"The openness was alsonecessary

because secrecy breeds suspicion and suspicion breeds contempt and in an inquiry of this sort no State secrets or defence-of-the-realm or relations with foreign powers were concerned. Or any other delicate matter concerning the in­ tegrity or solidarity of our country." With characteristic impartiality he added, "In fairness to the government, I must say that at no time was there any pres­ sure on me or any indication that it should not be a public inquiry."

Lentin never made it to the Supreme Court. "They felt he would not toe their line," noted his wife Dhun. After much stalling when the chief justice of India finally offered it, Len tin turned it down. "Hewould have liked to go but not to toe their line," as noted Dhun.

"There is a rule whereby retiredjudges whowish to practice as advo­

secondlady solicitor, the first in active practice and the first lady public notary. His father,Noshirwan Jhabvala' s guide­ books on variousaspects of thelaw havE­ mentored generations of students. But thecouple parted duringBomi's (as he was known to family and friends)early childhood and he grew up with his ma­ ternal grandparents, eventually adopt­ ing their name while he was studying in England, informedDhun.

"Very caring, very thoughtful... his life revolvedround the family," re­ marked Dhun. Abject poverty disturbed him deeply and he went out of his way to help those who turned to him even though not all such experiences were positive, she noted, adding, "His idea of religion was to help a lame horse over the stile." Unlike some fellowjudges he refused police securityoffered to him, continu­ ing with his evening walkson Marine Drive even at the height of his contro­ versial cases."Iused to be reallyscared," admitted Dhun.

In the old days he played the Hawai­

ian guitar and was fond of Indian classi­ cal music. During their honeymoon in London Dhun remembers him singing a lot of ragas. Framed landscapes on liv­ ing room walls attest to his penchantfor oil painting. SomersetMaugham, Irving Wallace, detective storiesand real life spy storiesof World War IIdelighted him, informed his devotedson Jamshed.

AfterretirementLentin confinedhim­

1990s, until he resigneddue to failing health, Lentin was chairmanof the local advisoryboard of the Banque Nationale de Paris with the approval of the Reserve Bank of India. In 1995-96 he was chair­ man of the reforms committeeappointed by the central ministry of health and fam­ ily planningregarding the quality,pro­ curement pricing, etc of drugs and equip­ ment. 1996-98saw him as the Finance Ministry's directoron the board of the LifeInsurance Corporation of India.

In his post retirement years several awards came his way, largelya measure

of the esteem and gratitudeof his fellow citizens. One of these, a presentation of

theWorld Zoroastrian Organisation on its 1Oth anniversary celebration at Raj Bhavan was presented by then Governorof Maharashtra C. Subramaniam. So over­ whelmingwas the public ovation that for several minutes the com-pere could not read the citation("The WZO Roll of Honor," Parsiana, July 1991)!

As senior lawyer Adhik Shirodkar told ADC, "The only fittinghomage one

can pay to such a fine judge is to incul­ cate the great integrity which Lentin displayed. Despiteall the corruption and manipulation around us, the ability to stand up for the truth and fearlessly pursue it is something which everyone in this profession needs to learn."

Lentin is survived by his wife Dhun, daughterBanoo Dastur and son Jam­ shed.

cates are required tofile an affidavit

self to holding conferences, giving opin­

stating that during their period of judge­

shipthey have not done anythingwrong. Though other judges have filed such affidavits, Lentin refused to do so as he felt it would be demeaning to the dignity of the judiciary," noted Mahabaleshwar Morje, chairman of the enrollment com­ mittee of the Bar CouncilofMaharashtra, in a letter published in The Indian Ex­ press (April 27, 2000).

"He would have been of immense use to the countryin many ways after his retirement; I always thoughthe was ideal ambassador material," wrote Dom Moraes in ADC (May 15, 2000).

India's attorney general Soli Sorab­ j e. who was Lentin's professional neighbor during their days as juniors in the early1950s, remembered him as warmhearted, amiable and "a gentle­ man to the core. Envy, the besetting sin of some eminent lawyers,did not con­ sumehim." (The Times of India)

ions and acting as arbitrator. (Kapadia

recalls Lentin'sdesirethatissuesbe

settledamicably: He wouldoften tell the opposing counsel,"put your heads to­ gether," while he strolledoff for a few minutes for a puff on his ubiquitous pipe!) Amongst the various positionshe held was that of chairman of the Films Certification AppellateTribunal for sev­ eral years. The public viewing of the controversial movie Bandit Queen (and the telecast of some of the more explo­ sive episodes of the TV serial Tamas) attested to his liberalviews on artistic freedom, noted Sorabjee. As chairman of the BHC's committee of enquiry on the scam involving overmarking of an­ swer papers in company law at the Bombay University's LLB examinations in 1996, his report led to the overhaul of the systemand a new stringency to pro­ duce better qualifiedlaw graduates.

In 1969170 he had been appointed

BOOKS

continued from page 2I8

cast by her asvillains. When Sonali plots the 'accident' of her molester,her brother silentlyabets her. When she relives the traumatic betrayal by her uncle, her husband Ani! sustainsher through his love and compassion. Thus the 'feminist' viewpoint here encom­ passes a broader perspective in which men and women together fight patriar­ chal aggression.

An award-winning playwright, some of Mehta'sother plays are The Myth Makers, Tiger, Tiger,Brides Are Not For Burning,A Sister Like You... Be­ sides writing for the theater, Mehta has published a novel, And Some Take A Lover andtwo collections of short sto­ ries, The Other Woman And Other Sto­ ries and the recentone entitled Miss Menon Did Not Believe In Magic. She has a new novel up her sleeve.

Lentin seemed to have inheritedle­

president of the Town PlanningScheme