October 2000
October 2000
Volume 23 Number3
EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel
MANAGING EDITOR ArnavazS. Mama EXECUTIVEEDITOR Parinaz M. Gandhi
SENIOR EDITORS
Dina K. Mehta,Hilla P. Guzder ASSOCIATE EDITOR Roxana A. Driver SENIOR DESIGNER Kranti M. Shilotri DESIGNER Nivedita A. Potdar MARKETING DIRECTORVeera J. Patel
2 Readers' Forum
8 Events and Personalities
14 Zoroastrians Abroad
18 The Federation and minority rights by Arnavaz Mama
23 Matrons of medicine by Dr Mridula Ramanna
ADVERTISING MANAGER Jasmine D. Driver
ADVERTISINGEXECUTIVESusan Hadvaid FINANCE B. L. Arora
DTP BakhtavarR. Batliwalla, K. P. Ravi
SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER
Khurshid Panthaki
ASSISTANT SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER
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ACCOUNT ANT AnaghaKorde ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT
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OFFICE ASSISTANTS Umesh Poojary, Selvan Mark, Sunil Sakhare,Govind Salgaonkar, Mahipat Jadhav, Manish Pawar
28 Madras: Fanningthe flame of devotion
40 Leopold Cafe: A lasting landmark by Parinaz Gandhi
42 Books
58 Milestones
Cover: The BomanjiEdalji Albless Obstetric Hospital
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READERS' FORUM
dated (merged) fires. The balance amount can be put to other very worthy causes like medical aid and education.
As regards education, the monies could be used towards supporting very bright studentswho can't afford to pay capitation fees for entry to medicaland engineering colleges.The monies could also be used to grant loan/gift scholar ships to very brightstudents going abroad.
As regards medicare, there is a lot of sickness in the community which has to be seen to be believed. Cancer, diabetes, septicemia andheart attacks are the four biggest killers (of the Parsis) in Bombay. It's high time we set aside our senti ments and fads and conserve our community's resources, rather than frit
A Gandhian 'General
My congratulations to Parsiana for the
excellent accounton the life of 'Gen eral' Manchershaw Avari of Nagpur (Parsiana, June-July 2000) by Dilnavaz Bhagwagar.
Hewas an icon ofmy youth. We followed his activities with breath less interest and I can still remember the tension that pre vailed when he entered
ter away those on agiaries which arc visited by an average of 10-20devotees. Patel's mention of another "sister com
Avari: the humble, national patriot
his fast unto death. As I havesaid, I
Readers' views are welcome on any subject of interest to the communityand should be sent to the Editor, Readers' Forum, Parsiana,G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400001.Letters are subjectto editing for reasonsof space and clarity. Unsigned lettersor those withoutan address will not be published.
"Aburning need to..."
Once again, Kayomarz Patel has raised
the bogey against the merger of agiaries
whichare not frequented by too many devotees ("A burningneed to merge," Readers' Forum,Parsiana, August2000).
He questions my "motive behind sug
gesting such a preposterous schemeof merging consecrated holy fires." There is no personal motivenor any "hidden agenda" behind this proposal of mine which is based on demographic and economic details.Does Bharuch, with a populationof under 150Parsis, need six agiaries?Surat, with a population of under 2,500, has two atash behrams and nine agiaries.
I am not at all suggesting the extin
guishment of the fires. On groundsof sanity and economics, I am only sug gesting their mergers.The structures in which the holy fires are lodged can be put to a different use and the monies can be put to the continuation of the consoli-
2 Pars/ana October 2000
munity where people are stiii managing
to secure huge funds to build temples,mosques, churches, etc"is totally irrel evant to our microscopic community.
BEHRAM T. DASTUR
"Sanctity of the dokhmas" I am in full agreement with Dinshaw K. Tamboly's views in "Sanctity of the dokhmas" (Readers' Forum, Parsiana, August 2000) as one should not con sider change for the sake of change. There should be validity and rational reasoning for change to take place.
The opinion of the majorityis not the
criterion to decide the future of the dokhmenashini system. It is not the in telligent but the wise who are few in number who need to decide on the wel fare of the Parsi community. Democ racy does not mean merely numbersbut the right course. And in order to pre serve the valued culture,traditions and sanctity,the Parsi flag of consistency should prevail over a demagogueor prejudice of the masses.
DORAB PHIROZSHAW PATEL
Our method of disposing of the dead is ecologically unimpeachable and well suited to the needs of small communi ties of farmersin the remote mountain valleys of Persia or in rural Gujarat.
What now has to be thought about is whether it is suitable for the mega cities of the 21st century.
KHORSHED R. K. S. GHANDHI
have heard of him from childhoodbut I
never knew he sacrificeda grand career just to serve the nation as a humble patriot. And what sufferinghe went through in the process.
Bhagwagar has done a true serviceto the community withherincisiveand
well-researched account of the life of this Parsi patriot.I have no doubt that 'General' Avari stands out as a Parsi of
whom we all can be proud.
Bhagwagar's well-documented ac count of his life has placed it forever in the panel of history. K. F. RUSTAMJI
"Of fire, faith and..!'
I was quite perturbedand aggrieved to
read Dilnavaz Bhagwagar's article "Of fire, faith and friends" (Parsiana, June July 2000).
Our Nagpur Parsi Anjumangives
medical aid to the needy Zoroastrians of Nagpur on receipt of their applicatrons duly supported by bills/vouchers, etc whereas in the case of Kaizad Tara porwalla, leaving aside all norms and without observing any formalities, we spontaneously gave away Rs I 0,000on the specific understanding that itwas an interim amount and whatever extra ex penses he may incur beyondthe dona tions he receives from elsewhere will be finally made up by the Anjuman. This, notwithstanding the fact that the boy is not in our employment as a mobed nor was he performing the said jashan on behalf of the Anjuman on that day.
Till today we are not aware how much expendi ture Taraporwalla has in curred nor how much mon etary help he has received from all over the world. As per our estimateit has far exceeded his actual ex penses, so much so that he made an announcement in the Jam-e-Jamshed Weekly
asking people not to send_
any more aid. Taraporwalla: won
Under the circumstances stoic support
the statement by the writer
our clergyis shared by most enlightened people in the community. Unlike the Christian priests or the Jew ish rabbis orBuddhist monks who havespent long years, not only in studying the religion, but also theol ogy and philosophy, our priests in general,except being able to repeat our prayers by rote, are not learned enough in the real sense of the word,and have thus failed to impartthe true
does, let him then cast the first stone at that man. Brig NOSHIR GRANT
Poona
Grace for the Congress
Millennium 2000 has a religious event
very important -
Of a Zarathushti odyssey -
Zarathushtrian Congress at Houston, Figure seven has a religiousfervor,
and it is a Zarathushtrian Congress, The whole world will look, whether it is
with discipline and grace.
Every celebration must be with the
that the "Nagpur Anjumanfell woefully
shortof expectations" is nothing but blasphemy and a maliciousattempt to tarnish the image of our Anjuman.You should not have publishedit without ascertaining the facts from us.
In future also we would be gratefulif you could verify the facts from us firstif any wilful write-up is sent to you defam ing the fair name of our Nagpur Anju- man. DINSHA W F. BAPUNA
President Shree Nagpur and Kamthi Parsi ZarthostiAnjuman
Dilnavaz Bhagwagar replies
That the Rs 10,000 givenby the Nagpur Anjuman fell short of expectations was the widespread sentiment within the community.
"Kisseh-Houston"
With referenceto"Kisseh-Houston,"
(Zoroastrians Abroad,Parsiana, June July 2000) giving details for the exclu sion of Dr Ali Jafarey from speaking at the Seventh World Zoroastrian Con gress (7WZC),it appears that the chief antagonist against Jafarey' s inclusion is Khojeste Mistreewhose main reason for doing so, amongst
others, is thatJafarey was not born a Zarathushti and is ad vocating conversion. His other reasons for debarring him are that Jafareyhas sought to think low
ofour clergy and has Jafarey: true to
denigratedsomeof his faith
our rituals.
To begin with may I remind Mistree that none of us was ever born a Zarathushti but was convertedto the faith by Zoroasterfrom whatever reli gion we were then following in Iran.
Secondly, Jafarey's low opinionof
4 Parsiana October 2000
meaning of our religionto members of
theircongregation. How else can one account for members of our community going in drovesto visit shrinesof Sai Baba of Shirdi or Meher Baba of Nagar, or Khwaja Pir of Ajmer, or the St Michael's Churchat Bombay?
Thirdly, regarding demeaning some of our rituals, Jafarey was referringpar ticularly to the presenceof a dog being present at our funeral ceremony, and consumption of our consecrated nirang (hull's urine). He is quite right on both counts. In the days before the advent of the stethoscope and brain scans, a dog was broughtin to ascertain whether the man was really dead. However, to con tinue such a ritual now seems bizarre.Similarly, in the days before the advent of antiseptics like Listerine or Dettol, perhaps a bull' s urine was used for the purpose. However, to continuethis to day seems repugnant.
Fourthly, accordingtoMistree,
Jafarey is not adhering to 'classical' Zoroastrianism as practiced over the millennia.What he forgets is that Zoroaster gave us his religion to serve man, but God did not create man to serve religion. It is thereforenecessary for religionto bend to serve the needs of man in the time he is living in, and not viceversa. It is for this reason that this ancientof all religions must never be allowed to get outdated.By burying our heads in the sand without any new ideas coming in, what is the torch we propose passing on to our futuregeneration (which is an item on the Congress agenda) if there is no light at the end of it?
Lastly, regarding Jafarey, the man, although he was not born a Zoroastrian, if there is anyone amongst those oppos ing him who has more knowledge ofthe true Zoroastrian faith,or who leads a better Zoroastrian life than what Jafarey
Zarathushtrian spirit,
At a very high cost, it should not prove only a gathering of discredit.
Thereis an opinion: 'Parsis quarrel,
when in dozens they meet.'
What will happen at Houston,
when in thousandsthey meet?
Naturally delegates will be there
from the world over, With differentmotives, opinions,
customs and flavor. We had six such meets at various
cities before. We fail to procure solid solutions
with results sure.
Speakers, orthodoxand reformist, add to the disadvantage,
Where dialogs and controversies
extend on stage;
We require sound unity, a festive
reunion in the fold.
To bring back the glory of our pilgrim fathers' tenetsold.
The entire program in the Congressis worth compliments,
Awards,scholastic competitions,
art and entertainment, Legacy exhibitions of Zarathushtrian artifacts,books, fair,
Workshops, Zarathushti orchestra,
video of the festive air.
Sports, businessforums, 20th century time capsule underground;
Legacy for the futuregeneration, logo of the Congress from the units all-round,
Such activities will enhance sure
the Zarathushtrian fervor at Houston.
If successfully achieved, the whole world will say, "Well done!"
May it prove in this millennium
a memorable event! With laurels from the world over,
with sound achievement
Let us join to make this event an ever
lasting credit to our community, And disperse with mutual understand ing, love and unity! NOSHIR DABOO
Ahmedabad
AidDamanwalaDispensary The Sheth M. C. Damanwala Charitable Dispensary was founded by the Udvada Anjuman and has completed133 years of its existence. The Dispensary gives free service not only to the priests tend ing the Iranshahbut to all Parsi inhabit ants including those living in surround ing villages, as also all Parsis who come to Udvada to pay their respects to our sacred fire-temple.
TheDispensary has been doing yeo manservice by giving medical treat ment despite the risingcost of medi cines and other items, and an increasein the salary of the staff. The Dispensary is managedby collecting donationsfrom charitable institutions and Parsi donors. Our trust isrecognized under section 80(0) (5) of the Income Tax Act.
Donations maybesentbycash,
cheque or demand draft in the name of "ShethM. C. Damanwala Charitable Dispensary" to K. S. Dastur, Tardeo Chambers, Flat A-19. KashinathRoad,
Tardeo, Bom.b,ay ,400034, Tel 4940375
lv \ •
orZ. M. Dastur. honorarysec retary, Daman wala Dispen sary, Dr D. N. Road, Udvada 396180. In case of donations of Rs 5,000or more pleasemention in your covering letter. "Pleaseaccept the cheque for the Dispensary corpus account and utilizethe
income therefrom year after year for the administration and objects of the trust."
K. S. DASTUR
President, Sheth M. C. Damanwala Charitable
Dispensary, Udvada
lgatpuri's appeal
The agiary and dharamshala in Igatpuri
were established in the year 1888 when
therewas a large Parsi population in Igatpuri. Both the agiaryand dharam shala were well frequented and were self sufficient financially.
Today thereis only one family in
The dharamshala in lgatpuri
Igatpuri and the agiary is being main tained from the interestearned on the corpus builtthrough donations. The dharamshala is in a sad stateof disrepair and we the trustees wish torenovate and restart it but are short of funds.
May we therefore appeal to the Zoro astrian community for donations of any denomination which will be gratefully accepted? Cheques may be issued in the name of"The Igatpuri Zarthosty
continued on page 48
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6 Parsiana October 2000
Events and Personalities
Musical bonding
The World Zarathushti Cultural Foun
dation (WZCF) madeits presence feltin Bangalore in April 2000whenits founder-presidentDr Homi Dhallawas amongthe speakers invitedto address the gathering on "Meeting of minds - Religion and spirituality in the new mil lennium." This was on the openingday, of the World Festival of SacredMusic initiated by the Dalai Lama in order tobring together people of diverseback grounds and traditions through the uni fying power of musicwhich symbolizes the yearningfor harmony -with one self, withothers and withnature, notes apress release.
The meet served as a cross-cultural
expression of spiritual fraternity. Rep resentatives of different faithsstressed on the need to overcomeracial, ideo logical and religiousbarriers. The Dalai Lama then presented all the speakers, 'Ut\.\.d:\. \.Rdu.de.d lt\.e. {QmJ..e.t 'Pte.\.de.t\.l Q{ India R. Venkataraman. winner of the Magsaysay Award DrAriyaratne, sci entist Dr Raja Ramanna, a specially de- .
Below (left): Dalai Lama with Dhalla and (right) the Petit Zoroastrian Choir
8 Parsiana October 2000
signed replica of a 14th century gold manuscript, according to the release.
The Petit Zoroastrian Choir,' com prising 15 studentsof the Bai Avabai Petit Girls' High School of Bombay led by well-known musician Kersi Mistry and Jaloo Bhesania, presented seven Zoroastrian devotional songs at the Music Festival.The Choir is repbrtedly one of the projects of the WZCF.
They were also invited to perform at
the Bangalore Anjuman'sKothari Hall on April 15 whenDhalla presented a · collection of about 325 books on Zoro astrianhistory;· religion and cultureto the Anjuman for a new library. To start librariesin different parts oflndia is one of the projectsof the WZCF, notes the release.
Career andhealth savvy Themind-boggling advances in infor mation technology havetransformed bu. \.u.e. s. Qatadt!!,m.s. au.d tb..e. \ab market throughout the world, commented Dadi Engineer, president of the WorldZoro astrian Organisation (WZO-India) at the inauguration of the "Careers in Com pl,lters"workshoponAugust5,2000. Conceived by theWZO's jointhonor-
ary secretary Dara Marfatia, a crowd of 105 Zoroastrians, most of them in the 12th grade, were able to widen their horizons when persqnnel from the Aptech computertrainlilg institute made lucid presentations on the enchanting cyberworld, writesWZO member Dr Hufrish Suraliwa1a.
Those who passed the aptitude test conducted at the conclusion of the daylong workshopat the Indian Mer chants' Chamber were invited to attend a free career counselling session at Aptech betweenAugust 6 and 12, 2000. The Institute also promisedto give dis counts to those who joined their courses as a result of this seminar. When Engi neer recommended that WZO should subsidize the training fees of needy anddeservingapplicants on a loan basis, Marfatia announced that to raise funds WZO had organized a charity concert by ghazal queen PeenazMasani on Oc tober 7,
A week prior to the computer work
shop, the Youth Wing of the WZO ar ranged a seminaron physical fitnessand nutrition. Nearly 150Zoroastrians, vary ing in age and comportment, partici pated in the session at the Cusrow Baug
Engineer (left) and Zutrll<llllrimanesh at the WZO-sponsored seminars
pavilion on July 29 to benefitfrom the expertise ofZubin Zarthoshtimanesh and Mickey Mehta, mentions Suraliwala in a report of the proceedings.
After 10 years of teaching Iyengar yoga and learning and traveling with his guru B. K. S. Iyengar, Zarthoshtimanesh is an acknowledged instructor today. His breathtaking asanas,instead ofleav ing him breathless, evoked queries from thegathering which he answered effec tively, notes the report.
The much sought fitness celebrity
Mehta,who has earneda mention in the Limca Book of Recordsfor teaching swimming in 24 hours, emphasized the importance of vegetarianism and healthy living, impressing upon the dhansakloving community to opt for fibrous foods, fresh fruitsand vegetables, avoid ing dairy products as well. Known to have trained several beauty queens who have gone on to win world titles,busi ness barons and politicians, Mehta's techniques also involve prayers. He ex plained how the phoneticsof prayers and religiouschants can be soothing to troubled minds. "We hope sessions like this will help make our Parsis a healthier and fitter clan," writes Suraliwala.
Bring mobedsto Navsari The first dar-e-meherin Indiawith a full-fledged nankhana (for the training of priests) was consecrated and estab lished in Navsariin 1142 AD. The atash behram in Navsari whichwas conse crated in 1765 has at present only three mobeds, one aged above 70 years, an other above '60 and the third aged 32 years. This atash behram is today "in
10 Parsiana October 2000
direncnl ()I ItHmcy and mobeds. As no incentive was given to the mobeds pre viously, they have either migratedto distant lands for better living conditions or have switchedover to anotherprofes sion," notes an appeal from the trusteesand committee membersof Navsari Atashbehram and Vadi Dar-e-meher Trust Fund.
"Navsari, which was considered a 'citadel of religion' about 60 years ago and its nankhana bursting at its seams with 40 or more young kids undergoing navar/maratab initiation ritualsevery year, did not have a single navario this year," mentionsthe appeal giving in detail a comparative figure of the num ber of religious ceremonies performed in the decade 1955-65and those per formed in 1999-2000. The count for ijashni (whichonce averaged 100 a month), vendidad (fivea month), navar (15 a year), maratab(10 a year), showed a nought last year. Due to non-availabil ity of pucca mobeds, concerned families have to avail of such facilities at Surat or Bombay,men
tions the de tailed appeal issued by the office bearers: president Dastur Meherji Meherjirana, secretary Ervad Homi Kotwal, joint secretariesErvads Rusi
Navsari Atash Behram: "citadel of religion"
Desaiand Keki Desai, honorary treasurer Ervad Firoj Panthaky, and trustees Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal, Ervads Noshir Kot wal, MeherjiVajifdar and Kaikhasroo Das toor.
Theyfurther state thattheannual income from the corpusin 1999wasRs 1,01,900
as againstRs 68,050
in 1991.But while the yearly emolumentsto
mobeds and subsidy to widows of expired
moheds totalled Rs 61,700 in 1991,last
yearthey expended Rs 1,05,600.The three boiwallasare now paid Rs 2,200 per montheach, the Doongerwadi mobed Rs 1,000 per month and the four wid ows, Rs 300permonth, each. As against their presentcorpus of about Rs 10,00,000they are targetting a corpus of Rs 35,00,000 wherebythey can engage five mobeds and pay them monthly emoluments of Rs 5,000 each plus con tinue with the sustenance for widows, thus enabling them to expend Rs 3,50,000per annum.
Thepresent boiwallas, in pairs have to start their day at 4 a.m., perform the Ushahin gah ablutions, fetch fresh wa ter from the well in the atash behram premises, and ready themselves for the Havan gah boi which requires11 recita tions of Atash Nyaish. The boi in the four other gahs require nine or seven recitationsof the Atash Nyaish. Each of the bois may last from one-and-a-half to two hours, their arduousduties are ex plained.
"Please do not feel at all embarrassed to send in your donation,however small it may seem to be," states the appeal. Donations by cheque or draft favoring"Navsari Atashbehram and Vadi Dar-e meher Trust Fund" may be sent to Meherjirana, Ward No 8, 1226, Dastoor Street, Mota Falia, Navsari 396445.
Redeveloping a baug
Briefly addressing a large and enthusi
astic audienceat the Birla Matushri Sabhagar on June 10, 2000, Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP)trustee Dinshaw Mehta said he believed baugs could be the saviors of the community with re gard to preserving Parsiidentity. Chief guest at the 54th annualcultural pro gram of the NowrozeBaug Play Centre, Mehta stated: "It is in the nature of a colony for boys and girls residing there to marry within the colony," thereby reducing the incidence of intermarriage.
Exhorting the audience to carefully read his messagein the souvenir brought out on the occasion, Mehtamade a force
ful appeal to the tenantsof Nowroz Baug, the first Parsi baug built in Bombay, to seriouslyconsider the pos sibility of redeveloping the 94-year-old baug by demolishing the existing dilapi dated buildingsand utilizing the addi tional FSI (floor space index) available to the colony underthe
new government guide lines to house an addi tional650families in ad dition to the 358 families alreadyresiding there. "Nowroz Baug, the old est of the BPP' s colonies, has outlived its span and has been repairedtwice in the past and is overdue
for one more major overhaul. Despite the collective effort of the tenants and the BPP sharingthe expenses 50150, there is only the bottomless pit taking away good monies ... A total of Rs 85 lakhshas been spent (so far) on main taining old and dilapidated buildings whose life span is almostover. Is it prudent to squander valuable funds to maintain such old properties when the more attractive proposition of recon structing and redeveloping all these buildings with brand new RCC (rein forced cement concrete)structures is now available?" he queried.
Endorsing DinshawMehta's mes sage, the presidentof the Play Centre, Nariman E. Mehtastated that thecost of repairs is estimated at Rs 40-Rs 50 lakhs per building, out of whichhalf will have to be borne by the tenants."This, to my mind, is not possible.Under such cir cumstances, we would be withouta roof..." With reconstruction, the trust will be able to accommodate all the existing tenantsin new buildings at the present rent and taxes and in the same carpet area, and accommodate ...on own ership to generate funds for construc tion and corpus," he asserted.
"May God bless the soul of Jerbai (the late Jerbai Wadia who builtthe
baug in 1906 in memory of her husband
Nowrosjee after whom it is named)and may the residents reap the benefitof the humanity and charity she showed in herlifetime," declared Jamshed Guzder, ch11irman of the BPP."Vibrate at a com mon wavelength, but make your ownindividualcontributions as well," as serted BPP trusteeRustom Tirandaz.
With a total of 1,495 members,the Play Centre, which is a registered trust, has a range of activities. It encourages indoor and outdoor sportslike carrom, table tennis, cricket,football, etc and has recently constructed a floodlit bad minton court at a cost of Rs 80,000, states the souvenir. It sponsors a well patronized, cosmopolitan inter-school elocution competition annuallyin En glish, as well as drawing and painting competitions. It provides merit scholar ship, school and college tuitionfees for deserving students, distributes free ex ercise books,etc. A medicalaid scheme (allopathy) and free homeopathic scheme have been in existencefor over 20 years. The Centre alsoassists in diag nostic and hospitalization expensesfor the needy.
Camaraderie in the colonyis pro moted with picnics, camps,etc, enumer ates the souvenir. For the year 1999- 2000, Homi E. Mehta is the vice presi dent, Adi Mogrelia and Parveen Chaina
the joint generalsecretar
ies, and PervezDeeand
continued on page 54
From left (Top row):Guzder, Nariman Mehta, Tirandaz; Secondrow: Dinshaw Mehta (standing) and colorfulpageant
Photos: C. C. Gandevia
12 Parsiana October 2000
ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD
7WZC's sportingprelude Thenearly 244 individualswhohave signed upsofarfortheSeventh Zarathushti Games(December 26 and 27,2000)includespectators,informs Rustom Khosravian who, together with Artemis Javanshir, coordinates the Games that precede the Seventh World Zoroastrian Congress (7WZC) in Hous ton at the end of
the year. Khosra
vianandJavanshir respectively repre sent the Zoroas trian Association of Houston and the Federationof Zo roastrian Associa
tions of North---
A m e r i c a Khosravian: sports
(FEZANA)- the enthusiast
two organizations Photo: Arnavaz s. Mama
conjointly spear-
heading this internationalget-together of world Zarathushtis.
Witheight to nine volleyball teams, seven to eight basketballteams and nearly 25 individuals enrolled for table tennis, the elimination round on the first day of the Games promisesto be a crowded affair.Swimming with 17 en tries so far, track enthusiasts numbering nearly 35 and nearly as many for shot put and discus throw are scheduled for the secondday, says Khosravian. Vol leyball, basketball and table tennisare concurrent items,so participants can sign on for only one. The same appliesto swimming and track events, he notes.
While some participants from India,
Pakistan and Australiahave registered, the maximum enthusiasts hail from North America. So far Khosravian says he has noidea about participants from Iran and they are still looking for sponsorship for the first,second and third prizesfor each event.
The events are slated to be held at the Klein Middleand High Schoolwhose gymnasium, track and field and indoor swimming pool are within walking dis tance of each other.The sports complex,however, is nearly a 40-minute drive from the J. W. Marriott Hotel and a bus serviceis being organized for the ath letes each day.
While the competition will be broken
up by age and sex, there is no specific event earmarkedfor veterans. Therewill
14 Parsiana October 2000
be friendly races for the under nines but Khosravianwas not yet ready to spell them out.
The Games will begin with the lighting of a torch from a flamekindled by a mobed and are scheduled to start each day at 8 a.m. and end at 6 p.m. The registration packageswill be ready at the Marriott Hotel on Decem ber 25 and may be accessed between 6 and 10 p.m. While fresh information will be available on the FEZANA website, the final deadline for sports registration ended September30. "Af ter that it will depend on how many we can accommodate," Khosravian told Parsiana in the course of an in terview on September18, 2000.
The sports awardsceremony is sched
uledfor December 30 at Houston'sZarathushti Heritage and Cultural Cen ter followingthe entombment of the time capsule on that property, with a disco nite roundingoff the proceedings.
It is the Iranian Zoroastrians who
have been the strongest proponents of Zarathushti sportsin North America, beginning in California in the late 1980s, Khosravian informsus. The SixthGames had been held in Los Angelesin June '99. Then and now non-Zarathushtis married into the community and their childrenare welcome to participate, he adds.
A scion of the famedKyani and Com
pany of Bombay,Khosravi an eliminated his own first name Khodamarad to call himself by his father's name, Rustom. After his mastersin chemical engineering at the University ofFlorida followed by an MBA at the University of Kansas, Khosraviansettled in Houstonwith his wife Nasreen(an ex-Xavierite from Bombay like himself), where he works for the software development company Simulation SciencesIncorporated. Their twin children Daryush and Delnaz were born there 14 years ago and were duly navjotedin Bombay in 1985.
The nearly 16 members of the enthu
siastic Houston Zoroastrian Sports Com mittee which Khosravian chairs has been meeting regularly every month to hashoutdetails.Now, with the deadlinedraw ing closer they meet in smaller groups more often, he says. "We understand each other (and)we don't deal with politics." Beyond that disclaimer Khosravian will not be led into the con-
troversies circumscribing the Congress.
Chicago's new board
At its annual generalmeeting on June
11,2000, 16 membersof the Zoroas trian Association of Metropolitan Chi cago (ZAC) offered to serve on the board of directors (2000-2002) and were unanimouslyelected, notes the ZAC newsletterof July 2000. Hosi Mehta heads the team as president with Arnavaz Elavia as vice president, DinazWeber and SohilaParsinejad as treasurer and assistant treasurer respectively. Dr Kersey Anti a, the Association's re spected head priest, continuesas ex of ficio memberof the board.
The I 1 directors at large are Dilshad Anti a, FreyaDhunjisha, Darayus Elavia, Jim Engineer,Rashna Ghadialy, Kayomarsh Mehta,Roxana Mehta, Keikhosrow Mobed, Roshan Patel, Minoo Press and FaridaSharyari.
Thepositions of secretaryand assis tant secretary remainopen as no nomi nations were received.It is expected that the executive committee will deal with the secretarial functions as required for the time being,says the newsletter.
The Chicago Chapterof the Zarthusti Chamber of Commerce(ZCCCC) in cludes 18 business and services provid ers to date. The areas coveredinclude financial planningand investment ser vices -long and short-term -insur ance(including medical insurance); pen sions; estateplanning and its manage ment, tax and other accounting services including payroll management for small businesses; computer hardware and soft ware; consultation for manufacturing industriesincluding productivity and profitability enhancement; auto repair; franchise business; medical and he.alth care; hairstyling; jewelry; and cateringservices with a variety of cuisines on offer.
TheZAA team
The executive committee of the Zoroas
trianAssociation of Alberta(ZAA) for the period June 1,2000 to May 31, 2001 is headed by MarezbanCanteenwalla with Aban Hakim as vice president of the CalgaryChapter and Avau Fast as vice president of the EdmontonChap ter, notesthe ZAA newsletter cf May 2000. RashnaMehta as the immediate past president, also functioning as edi-
tor of their newsletter, continues as ex officiomember of the board. Ruby Mas ter officiates as general secretarycum treasurer while former ZAA president and its currentrepresentative on the Fed erationof Zoroastrian Associations of North America(FEZANA) Firdosh Mehta is assistant secretary cum trea surer. Yasmin Irani and Fariba Tamboli were elected social secretaries of the Calgaryand Edmonton Chaptersrespec tively. NinaleeIrani is the ZAA youth representative.
ZAPA directory
The directoryof members of the Zoro
astrian Association of Pennsylvania (ZAPA) lists 37 entries of which 13 are single member households. Eight couples, an equal number of households with two children, three households with one child each and four with three chil dren sum up the community membersthere. These include a few intermarried families among the less than 100 Zara thushtis there.
Hutoxi Contractor heads the ZAPA board for the 2000-2001 season.Other team membersare vice president Farhad Cama. secretary Meher Dastur, assis tant secretary Zenia Ayrton, treasurer Khushru Kadwa and assistant treasurerMeherji Siganporia. The six directorsat large are Behram Kapadia,Neville Dastur, Jeroo and KaizadKadwa, and Zarin and Dilshad Balaporia.
TheMazdayasnan Order Based in Springfield, Oregon, the Maz dayasnan Movement has reintroduced itself to Parsiana with a letter datedAugust 27, 2000.
Established in 1969 as per the litera ture forwardedto this publication,its
spokesperson Sarvar Mobed Parthava writes, "We are hopeful that someday our holy land Iran (motherIran) would
be free again for all the followersof our dear Prophet Zarathushtra." The "21 principlesof the International Mazdayas nan Order and the Mazdayasnan Move ment" accompanythe letter.
Rejecting the names Zoroastrians,
Zarathushtrians or Zarathushtis, the in troductionto the Mazdayasnan Move mentstates, "Nowhere in the holy Avesta does Zarathushtra refer to Zoroastrians, Zarathushtrians or call himselfZara thushti. Rather,he simply calls himself a Mazdayasni meaning one who wor ships 'Mazda,' the Supreme Creator.Yet we find that over a period of time,
16 Parsiana October2000
the followers of Prophet Zarathushtra in Iran adoptedthe Christian term 'Zara thushtis'to refer to themselves. And those followersof Prophet Zarathushtra in Europe adopted the term 'Zoroas trian' to refer to themselves. By doing so, each of these groups have unknowingly adopted a fundamental part of Christian doctrine (where Christians have named themselves after their prophet)." Mazdayasna is declaredas "the sacred path of 'God-worship.'or the worship of 'Ahura Mazda,' the Su preme Wisdom of the Universe.
The order is centered round family life, viz the "relevant tenets of the Inter national Mazdayasnan Order give pri ority to the rights of the family to en courage the promotionof marriage and the healthystability of family life. Mazdayasnan(s) believe that relationships between men and women should be based on love, purity, righteousness, piety, work, optimism,and the values of truth, beauty and goodness. Those rela tionshipsshould not be based on mate rial pretension and the satisfaction of capriciousdesires.
"Family life, in the principlesof the
Mazdayasnan Order, is also considered to be the center of education for Mazda yasnan children and youth. Educationis vital to the life of the Mazdayasnan Movementfor a number of reasons.First, language and culture are primarily transmitted in family life and other educational and cultural settings.Sec ond, tomorrow's leadership of the Mazdayasnan Movementare found in today's childrenand youth; familylife and other educational settingsare where they can receivepreparation for this role."
Nonetheless the "principles of the
faith" declare, "Although the Interna tional Mazdayasnan Order has provi sions for the education of the childrenand youth of Mazdayasnan members,it hastens to mention that no one is born a Mazdayasni. In fact, all who become members of the International Mazdayas nan Order must do so by their own conscious choice. Those who do choose to becomemembers of the Mazdayasnan Order should attemptto attain the per sonal state of fulfillment and well-being that is true of the sacred path of Maz dayasna."
TheMovement notes that there are nine levels of fulfillment beginning with good thoughts, words and deeds and then including the six ameshaspentas defined
as Haurvatat, healthand happiness; Vohu Mana as conscience, good mind and dis cipline of mind; Asha Vahishtaas truth, righteousness and understanding of the cgsmic law; Spenta Armaiti as humility and loving kindness;Kshathra Vairya as the selflessuse of power, self-control and preservation; and Ameretat as realization and immortality.
Decrying any form of coercion, the 'principles' declare, "TheInternational Mazdayasnan Order is distinct from ... any religious sects or cults because it is a spiritual movement with its member ship based upon the ethic of free choice and not based on any form of deception. The principles and teachingsof Prophet Zarathushtracannot be fulfilled by prac tices that limit the personal freedomsof choice and movement."
Unequivocally reasoning that "at the
presenttime the CenterofMazdayasnan is in the United States,and out of respect for the people of this land, Mazdayas nan(s) are deeply interested in contrib uting to the social and economic better ment of the people of the UnitedStates," they underscore the "non-abusive use of technology and industry, as well as the advocacy of a need for the ecological protection of land,animals, and people (as) conducive to the welfare of the people of the UnitedStates," adding, "Of course,all of these ideals are appli cable on a world scale under the prin ciples of Mazdayasna."
The Order believesits strength lies in
its ability to accept Iranian members committed to these ideals though not born into the Zoroastrian faith. "Other groups,such as the Zarathushtis, Zoro astrians and Parsis cannot hope to ac complish the above ideal because the very nature of their closed membership precludesmany Iranian peoplewho were not born eitherParsis, Zoroastrians or Zarathushtis."
Though the declaration notes that "Mazdayasnan(s) can hope to once again
see the sovereignty of the Iranian people revived along with their ancient and sacred teachings found in the wisdom of Prophet Zarathushtra, ... the door is open
to all peopleof the world community, Iranian and non-Iranian alike, because Mazdayasnan(s) clearly see the value of the Prophet'steachings for humanity. Hence, the International Mazdayasnan Order is truly international... (It) must work diligently to end foreverhuman starvation, sickness,ecologicalimbal-
continued on page 52
POLITICS AND POLICY
The Federation and minority rights
An increasing desire to openlydeliberate community problemswas evident at the FPZAI'sMadras meet
Text and photographs: Arnavaz S. Mama
"The time has come when the Federa tion shouldat least providea platform for awareness, tell the Parsifraternity that we do not wish to push (problems) under the carpet," MadrasParsi Zarthosti Anjuman presidentNariman Mogrelia indicated the direction in which the host Anjuman would aim to propel the delib erations of The Federationof the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans oflndia(FPZAI) evenas he welcomed its executivecoun cil members to the two-daymeet, July 15 and 16, 2000.
The delegateswhocongregatedat
the Hotel GRT Grand Days in Madras after attending the morningjashan at the Jal PhirojClubwalaDar-e-Meherin cel ebration of its 90th anniversary were treated to a coupleof addresses that had not been slated on the day's agenda. Tata Steel chairman and managing di rector Dr Jamshed J. Irani, who was to be the guest of honor at the Anjuman's evening function, spoke extempore, re living experiences in Nagpur, Jam shedpur and London and received a standing ovation.Nadirshah Unvalla, Bangalore high priest and the Federa tion's doughty critic, who attended the session as the Madras Anjuman's guest afterperforming the jashanat the Dar-e Meher, also addressed the council, al beit as a ''high priest whose duty is to bless everyone" and not as Bangalore' s representative. At his insistence the meetingwas adjourned and the Parsi Press had to agree not to note and report his speech.
This was the second time Unvalla attended a Federation meet in Madras, the first having been in 1985 when along withthe late BehramSidhwaand Farrokh Bamji ofBangalore he had acceptedthe Federation's invitation to debate the is-
18 Parsiana October 2000
sue of Bangalore's membership of the Federation. Despite cajolements and promises from the Federation, he had then advisedthe Bangalore anjumanto abjurethe Federation and to this day Bangalore remains outside its fold.
Shortly afterlunchUnvallacom
plained of chest pain, was rested in the private room of one of the delegates and eventually hospitalized. A bout of stom ach infectionprevented Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustee SillooKavarana from attending the rest of the meet which began on the secondday with a recita tion of tandurasti for Unvalla and Kavarana hy Delhi's Ervad Rustom Gae on Mogrelia'srequest.
The sticky situations reported by the Surat Parsi Panchayat (SPP) and the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman of Secun derabad and Hyderabad (PZASH) found the Federation's member anjumans united in support. The SPP is faced with a requisition order from the Gujarat gov ernment on a major part of its dokhma lands. Resolvingto help the SPP protect community trust property the delegates advised SPP president Dr Sam Bhacca to opt out of an earlierproposed sale of a fraction of this land whichhas been legally contestedby a part of the Surat community and to use the land to culti vate bawal trees in the interestsof the kathi needs offire-temples in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
PZASH has been fighting arearguard battle with its former president Bazun Dittia eversince the latterwas voted out of the presidentship in the early 1990s. A retiredmember of theAndhra Pradesh (AP) cadre of the Indian Administrative Service (lAS),Dittia has allegedly used his influence with the local bureaucrats to clampthe Anjumanunderthe
government's Endowment Department, suspend the trustees and appoint Dr F.
D. Vakil, a relativeof Dittia, as sole trustee. The Anjuman has sought relief from the AP High Court where Dittia has proposed the alternative that the Anjuman' s properties be administered by the Federation. It has been particu larly galling to the Anjumanthat Dittia has been a specialinvitee at all Federa tion meetings hitherto. Appreciating the anjuman's stand, the executivecouncil resolved to withdrawits blanket invita tion to Dittia to attend Federation meet
ings. > -
The problemsfacingthedokhme
nashini system of disposal of the dead were explainedto the delegates at some length. In response to Bombay's peren nial housing problem, Dm·ayes Dalal, a Bombay man who had sought and found a betterlife in Madras,suggested that the communityin general and the BPP in particular investfunds in other loca tions to create the amenities that would lure Parsis away from Bombay.
Led by FPZAIpresidentandBPP
chairman Jam shedGuzder the delegates mourned the passing of stalwarts S9hrah Godrej, chairmanoftheHouseofGodrej and socialworker extraordinary, and Bakhtavar Lentin,retired judge of the Bombay High Court, whosecourage in the face of political power had done the community proud.
Happily acceptingIrani's invitation to "the one city in India named after a Parsi," the delegates will meet next in Jamshedpur, December1-3, 2000.
From Nagpur to Jamshedpur Representing "nobody except myself," Irani succinctlyand with gentle humor delineated the changingZoroastrian
L to R (I st row): Beginningwith a prayer; Mogrelia and J. J. Irani. (2nd row) Guzder;Gandhi and Sethna; E. Irani,Tamboly and
Bhacca. (3rd row) Keku Parakh, Kavaranaand Mani Clubwala;Daisy Irani; Dariusand Maharookh Forbes. (4th row) B. and S. Heerjee;
Nargolwala and Unvalla; Gae, Wania and Marazban Wadia. (5th row) Cama, Karanjawalla and B. Irani; Goo/ Kias and Master
20Parsiana October 2000
ethos. Recalling his grandmother's col lection of photographs of queens and empresses, he noted she "would have been scandalized if I'd marriedout!"
Aniving inJamshedpurfrom his con servative hometown,Nagpur, Irani re called how at the first paidusthe at tended there "a non-Parsi caught up with me for sezdo!" Over the years he said he "found that we (the Jamsh pur anjuman) did the navjotesof Parsi women's childrenalso."
A Tata man to the core - Irani's father and grandfather had worked in Tata Mills -Irani grew up in a Tata school, was educated in the UK through them and returned to devote 35 years to Tata Steel.He recognized Mogrelia as part of the Tata fraternity ["Nariman came to (Madras) withTatas (and) pros
ing in time to come," noted the optimis tic Irani,even as he hoped that "those stricter in religious matters will not take offence" at his statements.
Land acquisition in Surat
"Share our unhappiness," Bhacca began his narration of events in Surat:"Uncon trollable" trespassing and zopadpatties had made the landaroundtheSurat
"You have a vociferous community. They have come down to the streets to safeguard trust property"
own home. Poona's Bruch Irani viewed the situationpositively: "You have a vociferous community. They have come down to the streetsto safeguard trust property. You should take their support. We are willing to help you to preserve the property... Ifthere are no restrictions (from donors)convert it into a forest."
"If onlythey had grownbawal there
over the past 15 years,no government would have taken it for the market. Even now (they can) grow bawal there for themselves and for Bombay," added Hoshang Waniaof Nargol.
Federation joint honorary secretary
Keki Gandhi interpreted the event as a lesson for all anjumansto grow bawal on availableland. Urging the SPP to "drop the property sale and grow bawal" instead, he assuredBhacca,"Weare
pered in this place"] and referred to
Venkatachary Tata, a true-blue Tamilianwho had adoptedthis surname "since his father and grandfather were associ ated with Tatas!"
As a 20-year-old in London itr the late 1950s,Irani was told to register with the Parsi Association in UK. He says he went there to find "20 in theParsi club... all shoutingat each other." The image has persisted. Addressing the Federa tion delegateswith a smile he noted, ""Knowing Parsis,there will neverbe any agreement... We believe in disagree ment!" He qualified his statementhow ever byexempting the Jamshedpur
dokhmas hives of encroachment. After here to support you. The Federation is
consultation with dasturs and scholars solidly behindyou and theSPP." Noting the SPP decided to sell off some of the that the matter had been takenup by the estateson the outer periphery of the NCM with the Gujaratgovernment, dokhmasto the Agriculture Produce Sethna contendedthat the issue mat Market Committee (APMC) in1992. tered to three of its fiveminority com The agreement to sell concerned 42,044 munities- Parsis,Christians and Mus sq yd in Umarwadaand 15,759 sq yd in lims "because we use land for the dis Karanj, permission for which was ob- posal of the dead differently from the tained from the charitycommissioner, majority community...The(Zoroastrian) notes the press releasecirculated by the community must stand together in Surat SPP. and outside ... The sanction of law is in Some Parsis of Surat who had con- our favorif we use land for the purpose
tested the decisionto sell the land then for which it is assigned."
appealed to the Gujarat Revenue Tribu-. c-
nal wherethe casependedfor eight//Secunderabad imbroglio
anjuman from its embrace.
"Ournumbcrsarcshrinking.My great grandfather had II sons and II daugh ters throughtwo wives. My grandfather had 10. My father had only two. We have three ... True, Parsi familiescan't affordmore than two children. Ifthe two children of (an) intennarried family are stopped (from becoming a part of the community) we'll fade out... We'll be facing extinctionlike the dinosaur in more waysthan one...
"We Parsis in general have some thing to contribute. (We arc a) decent community. (Thereis) no reason why we shouldallow ourselves to become extinct."
Taking heart from the "resurgence in
Zoroastrianism" which he observed dur ing a recent visit to the Boston and New York areas where his son conducted himto meetings, Irani noted the rekindling of interest as people "drive hundredsof miles to attendfunctions and gahambars. Keep contact with them," he counseled. "It may lead to the community increas-
21 Parsiana October 2000
years. Before the case could be decided by the Tribunal, the Market Committee used the method of land acquisition by government, claiming I,76,176 sq yd which includesthe earlier agreed par cels of land and more.
The SPP has already filed its objec tions with the land acquisition officer and the matter has been taken up by Delhi Parsi Anjuman (DPA) president Lt Gen (retd) Adi Sethna in his position as member of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM). The SPP has ar gued that the APMC has sufficient un used land area within its control and that other vacant land contiguousto it is readilyavailable. HencetheAPMCdoes not need to deprivea minority trust of its right to property guaranteedunder the Constitution of India.
The oppositionfrom the vocal frac
tion of the community to the initial sale agreement has now snowballed into "ral lies and dharnas at the collector's of fice," noted Bhacca, anticipating simi lar scenes before the SPP office and his
"The trustees and the members of the managing committeeof PZASH want Jehangir R. Bisney to speak for about 15 minutes on the affairsof the PZASH with special emphasison the... role be ing played by B. F. Dittia, who inciden tally happens to be a regular special invitee at all Federation meetings. Kindly allow a special time slot for this purpose and pleaseensure that Bisney is allowed to speak freely without any objection or intervention from anyone present," wrote PZASHhonorary secretary N. F. Nagarwala to the Federation secretariat on May 29, 2000. A documented ver sionof Bisney's submission was re ceived by Parsiana on July 21, 2000.
PZASH, a rei igioustrust which owns
the Dar-e-Meher, the tower of silence and the nassakhana, was established in 1941. Its 12-member managingcom mitteeincludes five trustees from among whom is elected the president ofPZASH. Up to 1966 it was governed by the Hyderabad Endowment Regulations until the AP Charitable and Hindu Reli-
. >, .u;v c·..; - ::e<;:,:· . · ::;:<iJ:.+: ,
,......__...._....,., ....,..,....;,...........,. """'--· :"".".,_.,".""'""'· :' - IS ·filtofo .PZASHha e shofM .·Afitnan's.
:Sein.g a ll01Jio Hindu religtOil Institution belief that it does notfall within the PZASH was not includedin the list of purviewof the Hindu Religious Institu institutions to which it applied. Nor was tions and Endowment Act 1987... At the PZASH includedwhenthe1966 Act special general body meeting ofPZASHwas repealed and a new one introducedheldon April9, 1995, called to (apprise) in 1987, notes the press release from the the members of the action taken by the Anjuman.Endowment Depart-
Forthe first time the "We have taken ment aunanimous
Endowment Depart- the stand thatresolution was passed
mentcalled uponexpressing full confi- PZASH to submitac- any charity dence in the trustees counts in 1994. "On 1e- done by US is of PZASH and their
gal advice, we took the.manageme·nt of the stand that the provisions incidental and antrust. We function in a of the Endowment Act integral part ofdemocratic manner
didnotapplytoourtrust. our Zoroastrian under the declaration
It maybementionedof trust. We collect here thatif the Act is faith ..." contributions from our
made applicable to ourmembersand they trust, all our activities, finance, etc will have a right to vote and express their come underthe control of the Endow-grievances, if any.
ment Department... This would also "We feel that if any member has any haveasnowballingeffectonother grievance, it should be settled within the anjumans all overlndia," notes the write- anjuman itself An institutionis larger up. than an individual and no person should "After some correspondence on this use his official contactsto cause loss and issue and withoutdetermining thena- damage to the institution," said Bisney.
With
best wishes from
Farah
&
Tanya
22 Parsiana October2000
ture of our trust, the assistant commis- Quoting from Dittia's counteraffi sioner suspended the trustees ofPZASH davit of March 20,1997 to the AP High and appointed Dr F. D. Vakilas the sole CourtBisney noted, "Since some super trustee. We filed a writ petition and vision over the management of these obtained suspension of the order. Our institutions is a must, it is necessary that stand all throughhas been that we are a if not the government, then some other religious institution and not governed inbuilt safeguards againstmanagement by the Act. The Department contended malpractices are required to be provided. that we are a charitable institution. We We havein India what is knownas the have alsotaken the standthat any char- Federation of Parsi Anjumans of India ity done by us is incidental and an inte- (sic). In a sense,it is the mother bodyof gral part of our Zoroastrian faith... all anjumans and should in my opinion "The writ petition of the PZASHwas look where necessary into the affairsof argued by Mr Parasaran, formerattar- the anjuman.If the Hon'bleCourt is ney general oflndiaand ultimately heard pleasedto concur with this suggestion, by a division bench of the AP High then ... theState Government can be per CourtwhopronouncedjudgmentonJune suaded to excludethe Parsi community 21, 1999 that: in future from the ambit of the Act...
•"An enquiryhas to be held u/s 87by the provided a worthwhilealternative like deputy commissioner todetermine the Federation of ParsiAnjumansof
whether PZASH is a religious or chari- India are (sic) ready and willing to step table or a mixed institution. in and take up the responsibility."
•Parsi is a religion. The delegatestabled their sympathy
•The deputycommissionerhas to fol- andsupport to PZASH.Gandhi's pro low the procedureof a civil court posal that the executivecouncil rescind
•Pending the enquiry, the trustees are to the decision taken in Calicut to invite continueexercising their duties. Dittia to its meetingswas carried unani-
"PZASH had filed the application on mously.
February 18,2000 before the deputy "Dittiahasexceededhisbrief," noted commissioner, Endowment Depart- Mogrelia. "Itshould not inviteDittia to ment." its meetingsand tell him 'This is not "We have nothingto hide from the acceptable' ... Ask why Andhra is doing Endowment Department," iterated Bis- something thathas not beendone by any ney. Several legal opinions taken by continued on page 33
MEDICINE
COVER STORY
Matronsof medicine
The efforts of a few crusaders resultedin pioneering lady doctors who could ministerto the female patients
Dr Mridula Ramanna
The colonial government in India be came concernedabout health issuesin the 19th centurywhen epidemics threat ened their officers and soldiers. The professionalization of medical practice in Bengaltook place only towards the end of the century.In Bombay, Indian initiative and financial supporthad been instrumental in the establishment of the Grant MedicalCollege in 1845. How ever, the acceptance of western medi cine was a gradual process.
Fears of ritual pollutioncaused the
initial reluctance to accept vaccination of childrenagainst smallpox, and it was the effortsof western educatedIndian doctorsthat enabled the authorities to propagate vaccination and thereby con trol the frequency of epidemics; and to manage them when they did occur.
Social barrierswere even more in
hibiting with regardto women. It was the high mortality rate during childbirth that led to the es
tablishment of a
professorship of midwifery at Grant Medical College, but objections to being treated by male doctorsper sisted.In the 1870s midwives were trained.Asthe
1882 Education Com mission observed, whatever effortswere made in the field of women's education were due to private stimulus. Thus the es tablishment of medical education for women and separate medical facilities for them was also the contribution of public-spirited indi viduals in Bombay.
The firsteffort to
provide medical facili ties for women was the
23 ParsianaOctober 2000
Obstetrics Institution set up in 1850, attached to J. J. Hospital, founded in 1845 with the munificence of Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy. This Institution was meant for the "poorer classes" and provided practical experiencein gynecology to students of Grant Medical College. Do nations by the DowagerLady Jejeebhoy made possiblethe instruction of four Indian women as midwivesfrom 1870.
Clockwisefrom top: Motlabai Wadia, Jerbai Wadia and Jilla
Photos: Parsi Lustre on Indian Soil
However, there were objections to the training being pro vided only in Marathi and not in Gujarati.
Two of the wo men who had re ceived certificates of proficiency turned
out to be incompetent. Yet the class progressed, with instruction being pro vided free in Marathi and Gujaratiby Drs SakharamArjunandCowasji Pestonji (Naigaumwala), both gradu ates of Grant MedicalCollege. Funds for stipendswere provided by Cawasji Jehangir, Bai Perojbai(daughterof Jam·'tieeJejeebhoy)andArdesirWadia, all pa.. ns of western education.
Th,; tablishment of full-fledged
medic, . ;.;ourses for women was thanks to the efforts ofSorabji Shapurji Bengal lee and George Kittredge, a Bombay based Americanbusinessman who set up the Medical Women for India Fund in 1882. Bengallee was a refonner. edu cationist, justiceof peace, member of the Legislative Council and involvedin the intellectual life of the city. Inspired by an article in The Contemporary Re view, written by Dr Elizabeth Frances Hoggan, describing a new medicalde partment in England managedentirely by women, Kittredgewas convinced that "forsuccess in India, women must berecognized as the equal of men in the medical care of their own sex."He con sulted Bengallee, Jaffer Cummoo Sulleman, Javerilal Umiashankar Yagnik and MohamedAli Rogay, all of whom had been associated with reformist ef forts in the city. The committeeof the Medical Women for India Fund was constituted, with Kittredge as chairman and Bengalleeas secretary and trea surer.
At the first meeting of the Fund, chaired by municipal commissioner, E.
C. K. Ollivant, the insufficient accom
modation for women at J. J. Hospital was noted.The scheme thatevolved had four objectives:
•to secure permission for Indian, Anglo Indian and European girlsto attend medi cal coursesand qualify for university degrees;
•to employ qualified women doctors from Europeor America;
•to establish a hospital for women and children conducted by women;and
Murzban (seated sixth from left)with other delegatesof the Parsi Chief Matrimonial Court, Bombay,1895 and (below) Tehmulji Nariman
•to open a dispensary for treatment of a lments which did not require hospital-. ization.
The Fund collecteddonations through the sustained efforts of Bengallee, ably assisted by Harkisandas Narottamdas and Muljibai Jevraj,ranging from Rs 10 toRs 1,000,totatling Rs 40,238by 1885. However,Bengallee got the impression that few were convinced of the feasibil ity of the scheme. Kit
tredgecontrasted the apa thy in supporting the cause of women's educationwith the enthusiasm of Hindu grain and cotton merchants for an animal hospital!
The Fund applied to the Bombay University for ad mission of women to the Licentiate in Medicineand Surgery degree (LM and
S) and to the Grant Medi cal Collegefor the grant
ing of government diplomas to women hospital assistants and apothecaries. There seems to have been some initial reluc tance on the part of professors to teach certain subjects to women. The Univer sity respondedin 1883, offeringmedical degreesto matriculates who pursued a five-year course;and the College offered a certificate three-year course to non matriculates. The candidates were required to be 18 years of age.Medical classes
24 Parsiana October 2000
commenced in 1887.
Thefirst Indian woman LM and S was Freny Cama in 1892. Betweenthat date and 1915 (when the MBBS degree was awarded)31 Parsis, 17Indian Chris tians, eight Hindu and two Jewish women secured the LM and S.
An attempt to disseminate medical knowledge was made by R. A. Malabari, referred to as a studentof Grant Medical College, througha popular lectureon sanitation in 1889. With the help of dia grams, she explained the situation and structure of the lungs and their physi ologicalfunctions. She showedthat over
crowded and badly venti lated buildings and schools
caused injuryto health and emphasized the need for exercise. She pointed out the harmfuleffects of tight
clothes whichcould lead to
deformities and cautionedagainst Parsis imitating Eu ropeans, and Hjndus the Parsis, in adoptingfashions.
The Medical Women for India Fund accom plished the other objec tivesthroughtheestab
lishment of the Cama Hospitaland the employmentof women doctorsthere. It was the generousdonation of one lakh rupees by PestonjeeHormusji Cama, increasedby a further contribution toRs 1,64,300,that made possiblethe foun dation of a separatehospital for women and children. Cama had been a business man in China and had established the first Indian business housein London.
Bengallee had to statl the move of the
staffof J. J. Hospital to divert the donation to theirinstitution. The gov ernment wanted the pro posedwomen's hospital to have women doctors under "theinstruction and guidance of male su perior staff." While there had been a few women involved in medical work in Madras and the north west through zenanamis sions, there was not a single woman doctor in Bombay.
Thegovernment was expected to take the first step but, as Kittredge observed, "It had neither the moneynorfaith in
the ability of medical women." There
was the assumption that it was impos sible to dispense with male doctors,while women were requiredto help only in cases where a sense of delicacy or cus tom was involved.However, the latter's serviceswerenotused by all, for Kittredge recordsthat one of his Indian friends lost his favorite daughter due to lack of timely femalemedical aid. In the face of thestrongobjections of Bengallee,KittredgeandCama,gov ernment conceded that the institution would be managed by womenand un dertook to bear the cost of the hospital.
Kittredge selectedDr Edith Pechey, MD, for the post of seniormedical of
ficer. Pechey, the daughter of a Baptist ministerfromEssex,wasone of five
women, including Sophia Jex Blake, who fought to be admittedto the Uni ver sity of Edinburgh as a medicalstudent. The outstanding academic performance of thesewomenapparentlyhurt male egos and the Universityexpelled them! Pechey and Blake subsequently received their MD from the University of Berne. They were responsible for the foundingof the London Schoolof Medicine for Women. Pecheyhad practiced and lec tured at Leeds and Vienna. On appoint ment at Cama Hospital her salary of Rs 500 per month (pm) was paid from the Fund. She was also provideda house in CumballaHillandfirst classpassage from England.She arrived in Bombay in December 1883andsubsequently learnt Hindustani. Dr Charlotte Ellaby, MD,wasappointedherassistantthe fottowingyear. Pechey not only estab lished her professional competence but
also took part in the social life of the city and thus securedrecognition for the work at Cama Hospital.
The government allotted a site on the Esplanade forthe CamaHospital. While it was being constructed, Pechey started her work in a small bungalow at Khetwadi. There seems to have been some initialreservations over surgicaloperations being conductedat a place away from home. Pechey undertook vis its, for which she charged the same Rs 10 as her male colleagues. Some of the committee memberswanted smaller fees for the 'middle classes.'Pechey agreed to attend free all those patients recom mended to her by the members.As a result of a misunderstanding causedby this incident, Bengallee resignedfrom the Fund.
Sulleman's donation of Rs 20,000 established in 1886a dispensary attached to Cama Hospital. Sulleman is men tioned as a furnituredealer of Girgaum. The municipal corporation initially spent Rs 500 pm on its maintenance, public donations makingup the difference when expenses proved excessive.
Thebuilding of Cama Hospital was completed in 1887. It was designedby Muncherjee Murzban who had built the Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Parsec Benevo lent Institution. Alexandra Native Girls' English Institution and J. N. Petit Li brary. The Hospital had 52 beds. with two detached pavilionsfor special cases. By the end of the year. the patients treated included12 Europeans, 13 Eur
asians. 31 Hindus. 52 Muslims.23 Goans, three Portuguese, nine Parsis, six Madrasis and one Chinese.
It is noteworthy that while no Mus lim women took to medicaleducation in this period, medicalfacilities were availed of and the Hospital ben
efited zenana women, particu larly since Hindu and Parsiwomen were being treated by male doctors.This marked a change for Dr Rukhmabaihad observed in 1883 that while women in purdah were unap proachable to the male doctor, even the averageIndian woman
would not allow herself to be exam-
ined for diseases peculiarto women. At the Cama Hospital, patients in general wards were required to pay Re l per diem. Pechey was designated physician in-charge, on a salary ofRs 700 pm, andEllaby, the resident surgeonon Rs 400 pm.
26 Pars/ana October 2000
Pestonjee Cama and the Cama and AlblessHospital and SorabjiBengalee (below)
TheBomanji Edalji AlblessObstet ric Hospitalwas added to Cama Hospi tal in 1890, designedspecially for ob stetric cases. In the two institutions, l 00 beds were available and 2,026 patients were treatedin 1908 as against I,076 in 1891. Eight thousandoutdoor patients availedthemselves of the facilities at the Jaffer Sulleman Dispensary.
The Medical Womenfor India Fund hadbeendissolvedin 1888andKittredge could well claim for Bombay the credit for the first non-official and non-sectar ian female medicalrelief in India.
On Queen Victoria's suggestion to provide medicalfacilities for women, the Lady Duffcrin Fund wasestablished and generouspublic subscriptions were madeto this Fund on the occasion of Lady Dufferin' s visit to Bombayin 1884.
It wassuggested thatthe DuffcrinFundshould pay the salaries of a smallnumber of European lady doctors who should train Indians. This Fund supported a training school for nurses and mid wives attached to Cama Hos pital, whichopened in 1887.
By 1907, 225 nurses includingcandidates from the native states
and other parts of the presidency had been trained.
In 1892, the obstetric wards of the J.
J. Hospitalwere replaced by the Bai
Motlabai Wadia Obstetric Hospitaland the Sir Dinsha Manekji Petit Hospital for Women and Children; and an outpa tients' department was provided by the
Dwarkadas Lallubhai Dispensary. They jointly provided accommodation for 60 women and 20 children and were used as institutions for the training of stu dentsof the Grant Medical Collegein midwifery and gynecology. While 686 indoor and 5,703 outdoor patientswere treated in 1892, the number was 1,848 and 8,171patients respectively by 1908. With the donationof Jerbai N. Wadia, the Home for Nurses atJ. J. Hospitalwas started. A few women with infectious diseaseswere admitted to the hospitalat Arthur Road, established in 1892.
Medical facilities were also estab lished for women of specific communi
ties: thus the ParsiLying-in Hospital was founded in 1887 as a maternityhome by TehmuljiBhicaji Nariman. Bai Moolbai Peerbhoy CharitableDispen sary provided medical aid to Khoja women and children. In 1908, 24, Ill patients were treated in these exclusive institutions for women and children.
The hopes of the foundersof medical education were realized in the first batch of women graduates of Grant Medical College who served at these institutions. Among the Parsiswho constituted the majority were Meherbai Khareghatwho was attached to the Parsi Lying-inHos pital; Avanbai ManekjiMehta, Cama Hospital;and Gulbai Doctor,a munici pal doctor. Dhunbai HormusjiWadia practiced at Ahmedabad; DossibaiDadabhoy at Cama Hospital and later became the first Indian woman Member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) andMember of the Royal Col-
lege of Surgeons(MRCS);Jerbanu Mistri did a special study of infant and
maternal problems,her findings con tributingto the reduction of mortality
rates;and Jerbanoo Karanibecame a member of the Nagpur Municipal Com mittee and president, All India Women'sConference.
Women pursuedpostgraduate stud iesin midwifery, gynecology and medi cine - the first MDs being Peroja Daruwala and Mehra Dalalin 1928.The 1930ssaw awoman army doctor,Phiroza Davar, and a dental surgeon, Banoo Jilla, LDSC (Licentiate in Dental Sci ence) from the Nair Dental Collegeset up in 1933.
The entry of womeninto the medical profession did not dramatically improve the statusof women in society. How ever, more women went to thesedoctors because they were women.This also led to more children being treated and im munized. Infant and maternal healthwere neglected by the government which tack led public healthmainly when con fronted with killer epidemics.
In Bombay, the foundation of Cama Hospitalhad been a successful private effort, providing facilities for women andchildren. Nevertheless, prejudices remained, for it was observedthat women
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doctors were called upon mainlyto at tend on respiratory and other such cases only in the outpatients' departments. In the wards they mainlyconfined them selves to gynecological and obstetric cases. Pechey petitioned the govern ment for the creation of a medical women's serviceto work at these insti tutions financed by Indians, but women doctors remained low on the list of gov ernment priorities.
Most of them, however,were suc
cessful professionals, economically in dependent and at the same time con nected with women's organizations and reformist activities. Tehmina Cama was one such woman doctor of Bombayin
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the 1920s. Doubtlessmedical women
werefew, but a beginning had been made in a vital area of social change.
Edited and reprinted from a paper on "Theestablishment of medicaleducation and fa cilities for women in the city of Bombay," presented by Dr Mridula Ramannaand pub lished in Indica, Vol 31, No 1 (1994),the organ of the Heras Institute of Indian History and Culture,St Xavier's College,Bombay. Dr Ramanna is the head of the department of history at the SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce,Bombay.
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ANJUMANS
|
-energetic, enthusiastic and pervasive
-in a community that views itself as
standing on its demographic head.
The two-daycelebrations of the 90th anniversary of the Jal Phiroj Clubwala Dar-e-MeherinMadras(July 15and 16, 2000) had commencedwith a well-at tendedjashan on the morningof July 15. Led by Nadirshah Unvalla. high priest of Bangalore, the Madras Anjuman's special inviteeon the occasion, thejashan also witnessed the participation of the popular Madras panthaky Ervad Kai khushroo Laskari,a former staffer of The BombaySamacharand theyouthful Ervad Yezdi Ghadiallywho had been initiated as a navar a coupleof months ago. The firstnavar in the Madras Zara thoshti community in 70 years,the youth has won a specialplace in the affection of hiscoreligionists.
The 90-year-oldplaceofworship
had been specially spruced up for the occasion.The Rs 10 lakh repair and renovation package includeda Rs 17,000 refurbishment of the super-sized por trait ofZarathushtra. Other pictures and portraits, especially of the Clubwala fam ily, marred by seepage of water between the picture and the glass front, were all expertly touched up at the School of Art as noted Zarin Mistry,joint honorary secretary of the Jal Phiroj ClubwalaDar e-Meher 90th Year Celebrations Com mittee. The gleaming walls,polished doors and sparkling afarganattested to the zeal of the local community in main tainingthe only consecrated fire in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
In his welcome addressNariman Mogrelia, president of the Madras Parsi Zarthosti Anjuman and chairman of the Celebrations Committee, brieflyre countedthe history of Parsi settlement in Madras, elucidated in some detailin
28 Parsiana Octooer2000
Fanning the flame
of
devotion
Love and piety have sustained the Jal PhirojClubwala
·oar-e-Meher in
Madras for 90 years
Arnavaz S. Mama
the brochure commemorating the event: It was in 1795thatHeerjibhai Kharas came to Madras accompanied by Framji Rudibaina, Mobeds Ruttondarooand JamshedjiAderbaden, Sarah Mehta,Bhikhaji Botu and Jamasji. According to Mogrelia, theycame on a mission from the Raja ofCoorg, settlingon a plot of landtheypurchasedoppositethe Catholic Church in Royapuram. A year later Jamasji passed away and was bur
ied nearby.
When Rustomji Cama and Cowasji Nowroji arrived is not documented, but in 1799 they purchased"24 grounds" of land on a 99-year lease fromthe Madras governor and the United Company of Merchants, England. A "fresh lease" was entered into between the same par ties in I814. The Parsi contingent then also included HormosjiBomonji, Hor masji Panday and "others of Parsi reli gion." In 1822 Edulji Khambatta con structed a block for ceremonial and reli gious purposes thereon but the Parsi Punchayet of Madras (PPM) was only formed in 1876: a managing committee of five memberswere elected by the 11 members present, with Dinshaw Panday
electedits first president and Sorabji Framji its first secretary. Seven years thereafter a system of monthlysubscrip tion from its memberswas accepted and a committee of six electedto draft rules of the anjuman which were codifiedand passed within two and a half brief months! Shortly thereafter the anjuman agreed to the formation of five groupsof four members each to officiate as volun tary pallbearers.
Theyear 1893 saw Cawasji Panday installed as the first Parsi sheriff of Ma dras (to date there have been three Parsi sheriffs: Mary Clubwala Jadhav, MBE, Padma Vibhushan, in 1956andJehanbux Taraporewala in 1963).A year later was recorded the nuptials of Maneckji Pau wala and Motibai Malegamwalla in Cannan ore- the first Parsi marriagein Madras presidency.
Though Sir Dinshaw Petit donated Rs 3,600 and Sorabji Framji,then presi dent of the PPM, contributed Rs 1,000 towards a plot of land on which to erect an atashdadgah, the attemptwas aborted as the land lay within 50 yards of the aramgah (as against 300 as per the Vendidadic injunction).
ThePPM was renamed the Madras Parsi ZarthostiAnjuman (MPZA) in 1900, becomingwitness to severalsad and glad occasions in the community in the 20th century.
Jal, the 13-year-old son of Phiroj
Clubwala died in 1906 andPhiroj Clubwala donated Rs 2,000to the Anjuman to pay for a serving mobed at Rs 40 per month, Ervad Dosabhai Pavri being appointed to the job.
By 191OtheJalPhiroj Clubwala Dar
e-Meher was consecrated by the griev ing father in memory of his young son, gifting the edificeto the community whichhad collected a sum ofRs 30,000 towards its maintenance.
When five navjotes were performed in the Taraporewala familyin 1911-a record for Madras -little did the com munity know that two of the navjotees
-Arjasp and Jehanbux- wouldgrow up to be shining lightsof their settlement and its honored benefactors.
In 1926 Phiroj Clubwala celebrated the wedding of his son Nogi (Khushru) and Mary Rustomji Patel ofOotacamund and the community rejoicedand feasted for four days. The next year Phiroj Club wala died in Ootacamund and from the
Clockwise from top: Jashan time at the 90-year-old Dar-e-Meher; M. and
N. Mogrelia, Guzder,J. Clubwala, K. Parakh and M. Clubwala; Guzder
presentingshawl to J. Clubwala
funds collected in his memory the Anjumanpurchased a bungalowwith a large compound in Royapuram and the Phiroj Clubwala MemorialHall was declaredopen by his widow Shirin in 1930. The same year also saw the estab lishment of the Madras Parsi Associa-
30 Parsiana October 2000
tion (MPA) to promotesocial and cul turalinterestamongits members. His son Nogi alsodonatedabuildingin Royapuramto the Jal Phiroj ClubwalaDar-e-Meher in memory of his father in 1931. Four yearslater Nogi, aged 31, died on his way to Europe,leaving be hind his widow Mary, youngson Phil and mother Shirin,all of whom consis tently supported the Dar-e-Meherand other Anjuman properties throughout their lifetimes, both monetarilyand in terms of personal service.Phil, a bach-
elor,died at the age of 43, and Mary succumbed to cancer a year later. Thus ended this particular line of the Clubwala family.
However, Nogi' s cousin Jehangirand his redoubtable wife Mani have carried on the Clubwala traditionof devotion to the community and other social causes, repeatedlyspearheading celebratory events like the golden jubileeof the MPA (in 1980), the platinumjubilee of the Dar-e-Meher (in 1985), the bicen tennial of Parsi settlement in Madras (in
Center column (from top, L to R): Darius and Tehnaz Bahadurji, Darayes and Kaety Dalal,
M. Clubwala and Kurush Mistry, Bhote and M. Mogrelia;right column:
Z. Mistry, Ratnagar,Ghadially and Badrinath
Left column (from top, L to R): Guzder, Mogrelia,Sethna; Wadia and Mehta join the Madras ladiesin Chhaiye Harne Zarathoshti; enacting Dastur Nariosang Dhavaland Jadi Rana. Alongside:discovering the marvels of fire
.,
1995) and this 90th anniversary of the
Dar-e-Meher. In recognition of her un
tiring efforts Mani Clubwala was pre sented the Anjuman'scoveted F. B. TaraporewalaAward.Along-serving
31 Pars/ana October2000
Four generations of the Clubwalas. L to R: (top) Mancherji and Kolibai; Phiroj and Shirinbai; (below)Jal;
Nogi and Mary; Phil
secretary ( 1970-85)of the MPA she has championed the cause of the visually impaired and embraced the poor and downtrodden by her devoted service. "Herwinning ways have won the hearts of the entire community," notes Mistry.
The K. K. Razi Scholarship awarded
each year to the studentaggregating
highest marks at the Higher Secondary Certificate examination was claimed on this occasionby Urzanna Byramshaw with a score of 96 percent.
The presentations were made by
chief guests Jamshed Guzder, chair man of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and president of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of In dia and Dr Jamshed Irani, managing director of Tata Steel who had been welcomed with a traditional achumichoo ceremony. Mogreliapre sentedthem and MPZA patron Keku Parakh with shawlsof honor. Others to be so honored were Lt Gen (retd) Adi Sethna, Delhi Parsi Anjuman president and member of theN ational Commission for Minorities (NCM), and Dar-e-Meher trustees Mogrelia, Jehangir Clubwala, Russi Dastur (who
32 Parsiana October2000
donated Rs 10 lakhs to its coffers), Byram Byramshaw and Jamshed Madan. But it was JehangirClubwala to whom the gathering awardeda spon taneous standing ovation for his long, devoted service. Also honored were senior citizens Dilnavaz Nalladaroo, Goolamai Marphetia and Sorab Mull a for their exemplarylives that commu nity youths could emulate. Gold Zara thushtra coins were presented to Dastur Hormazdiar N oshirwan Dastur of Poona and to Unvalla,in absentia, and to Laskari.On the second night Ghadially was presented a similarcoin at the hands of famed ophthalmolo gist Dr S. S. Badrinath, an honored guest of the Anjuman.
The souvenir publishedon the occa sion was jointly releasedby Guzder and BPP trustee Dinshaw Tamboly.A brief address by Setlma highlighted the prob lems faced by the communityin various parts of the country which were referred to the NCM. The talk was followed by an audiovisual created for the UNESCO projecton the Parsis where Sethna'sdaughter Dr Shernaz Cama is coordina tor. zealously compilingthe history of the community in India. In keeping with ancient Zoroastrian traditions Sethna admonishedcommunity members seek ing to oust a mongrel who had sought refuge in the hall from the rain pelting
the compound: "Don't be unkind to him; he's the guardianof our race."
The second day's entertainment, a variety reviewof gags and songs orga
nized by Madras impressario Noshir Ratnagar, was followedby dinner hosted by the patrons of the celebrations com
mittee.
Thirty people had got togetheron
March 21 to constitute the Celebrations and Fundraising Committee, informed a tired but exhilarated Mistry at the end of the show. Grouped to tackle individual heads like accommodation, fund-rais ing, catering, brochure, etc, Mistry noted that the lion's share of the work and the greatestmotivating force among them was Mani Clubwala.Current MPA presi dent DariusBahadurji led the fund-rais:: ing subcommittee. Accommodation and transport remainedthe purview of Teh naz Bahadurji and Kaety Dalal while Darayes Dalal and Mahiar Shroff bore the brunt of organizing meals for the proverbiallyhungry Zoroastrians.
The two days' entertainment cost the Anjuman Rs 30.000 for lights.music. costumes and professional choreogra pher Jeffery Vardon even though it was Perviz Bhote,vice principal of Vai shnava College, who conceptualized the dramatization of KissehSanjanas well as the Zoroastrian conceptof Fire.
continued on page 56
THE FEDERATION AND ...
continued from page 22
other state government," he recom mended. Gandhi agreed, proposinga voteof censure againstDittia- which was passedunanimously- adding that he had written to Dittia thatthis matter would be debated.
A letter from Dittia receivedin Ma dras notedthat he was attending a retreat cum reunionfunction of the 1950 lAS batch. Dittia wrote, "Although I am un able to attend the meeting of the Federa tion, I am anxiousthat the mattershould not be kept pending until the next Fed eration meeting."
Indore president Bomi Heerjee soun ded a note of caution. "Anyresolution we pass should be all embracing so that
no problems." Heerjce referred to prob lems in areas where Parsi properties exist thoughthe community may have moved away.
Delegates had contradictory experi ence of the implementation of the Parsi Marriage and Djvorce Act (PMDA) in their areas.While the districtcourt in MP has decided to take cognizance of
Ensure that all houses are numbered
now because only
those so indicated will be visited by
census enumerators next year
to ensure that the data is correctlyre corded.If not counted in February,ap ply to the Helpline whichwill be adver tised on TV, cableand Internet, he added.
Dokhmenashini
Surat'swoes over its dokhma land be came a springboard for a discussion on dokhmenashini and problems facing its implementation in the 21st century. The disappearance of vultures has extended the time requiredfor the disposal of bodies leading to complaints of stench, specifically fromtheresidents of Bombay's Spenta building facing the Doongerwadi and the contiguous Godrej Baug, acknowledged the BPP trustees. "All (seven)trustees support dokhmenashini and have signedan affi
there are no repeats elsewhere," advised
davit on oaththat we're committed to
Sethna suggestingthatitbeframed
within the ambit of the law for minori ties.
Interface with officialdom
Heetjee reiterated the requests recorded in the resolutions at the Madhya Pradesh (MP) anjumansmeet: a proposal to cre atea central zone of the Federation and to lobby to amend the MP State Minori ties Commission to include a Parsi mem ber.Currently the Commission only has Muslim, Christianand Sikh representa tives. He urged Setlmato take up the matter with the chief minister of MP.
While Gandhi informedthe gather ing that the NCM chairman had written to the MP governorasking for a Parsi to be co-optedon the state board, Sethna further noted that the reconstituted NCM which took office in January was of the view that the states had "not done their duty." The legal and technical issues had to be sorted out with the chief min isters, said Sethna, notinghow the Tamil Nadu board included a Jain member although the Jains are not classified as a minority in the Indian Constitution. (A decision of the RajasthanHigh Court has since held Jains as a religious minor ity community in India,according to a report in The Times of India, September '17, 2000.) He sought demographic fig ures and representations from the com munity to strengthen his case.
Merely havingrepresentation or sit
ting on district level bodies was not enough, accordingto Gandhi who sought feedback on the circumstances in vari ous places.Sethna noted how the NCM, tended to dismiss the Parsis with the single sentencein its report: "Parsis hav
33 Parsiana October 2000
the PMDA for the firsttime according to Heerjee, Allahabad's Capt Homi Dandiwalla has found that while Parsi marriages in his area used to be regis tered under the PMDA earlier, officials there "nowsay they do not know who Parsis are." Agra's Hosang Debara said h,e had ascertained fromBapsy Khodaiji of Lucknow that all marriages can be registered at the civil court.
Since July I, 2000 the Gujarat Ex
press from Ahmedabadhas been stop
ping at Udvada, informed Sethna.Re gardingdesignating Udvada a "Pavitra Yatradham," the matter will be taken up only after the NCM visits Gujarat, he noted.
Sethna was more concernedabout
the nationalcensus due to be held Feb ruary 2-28,2001. Terming it of great importance for all minorities, Sethna addedthat the ±2 percent fluctuation in the figures, acceptable for large popula tions, would make a sizable difference to the Parsis. He appealed to all the anjumans to ensure that all houses are numbered now because only those so indicated will be visitedby census enu merators next year. Giveregional direc tories of Pars is to seniormembers of the census directorate," he urged.
Heerjee recalled his experience in the home ministry when dealing with the census that most people hesitated to mention their religion and most enu merators "hadnever heard of Zoroastri anism!" But Sethna informedthe gath ering that for the first time the enumera tors have been instructed to take the signature of the head ofthe household or whoever providesthe information. This would give each householder a chance
strengthen it," declaredBPP trustee Dinshaw Tamboly.He noted that they have identified four different areas to do so: An air blowingplant has been in stalled to mask the odor; a herbal cum chemical powder- is b'cihgsprayed on the bodies to acceleratedecomposition; the construction of an aviaryto breed vultures in captivity is under examina tion; solar panels to increase the heat to 200°C to enable the drying out of bodies in nine to 10 hours is under experiment in Bulsarand Baroda.
Speaking as an athornan from Navsari, Gae voiced his reservations. Basing himselfon a Times of India re port that vultures are disappearing from the skies of India,Gae wondered how the BPP would procurethe 200 vulture chicks requiredaccording to the report of UK based specialist on birds of prey, Jemima Parry-Jones. Also, to createa dome over three dokhmas to enable the fledglings to thrive on the dead bodies would be prohibitive in economic terms. Other suggestions like moving the dokhmas out of Bombay was as imprac tical as creating an aramgah on Doongerwadi' s rocky ground,noted Gae. As for solar panels,a representa tive from Bulsar had spoken of 600°C being requiredto dispose the bodies. This would be impossiblewith the high humidity during the monsoonseason. reasoned Gae. He fearedthat a public interest litigation would put the BPP on the mat and urged the high priests to suggest an effective remedy to the Punchayet. According to Gae's reason ing, electriccremation might need to be adopted if no other avenues are work able.
From left to right: 1. Marzban Mehta,Paghdiwalla and Yezdi Motiwala; 2.D. Mistry and KhurshedBhesania; 3. Ronny Dick, DinshawPatel and JehangirMandwiwalla; 4. Homi and Shireen Dandiwalla; 5. D. Debara,Giara and Seher Kolah;
6.Sarosh Poonawalla and Palsetia; 7. Hormazd Dastur and
Z.Mistry; 8. Bisney; 9. Yezdi Pithawala; 10. Hoshedar Patwa
andTalati; 11. LaehremetMistry and SaroshPalkhiwala
34 Parsiana October 2000
Noting that the BPP followsthe trust deed of 1874 whose main clause is the management of the Towers of Silence, Tamholy said the BPP trustees have been"told by legal experts that we can't avoid (the responsibility of maintaining the dokhmas),even if we want to." Aware that the vulture population is declining, the optimistic Tambolynone thelessdeclared that the BPP plannedto meet the Prime Minister to get permis
cent of the community will be elimi nated," noted Tamboly. Added Scthna ruefully, "It's the 70+ group that needs insurance the most."
Whereas earlier group policies cov ered existingdiseases, under the new dispensation they would be covered only after threeyears of insurance, an em bargo that may extend to five years, noted Wania. Nor does group insurance include maternityand dental treatment.
Delhisuggested a tic-upwith the Travel Corporation ofIndiaorGuzder's Indtravels, DolatDebara noted that Dini Travels had agreed to help but nothing has emergedso far. Sethnaassured them that the hotels in Agra face a similar problem: "Thetraincommunication between Delhi and Agra is so good, no one wantsto spend a night in Agra." While Guzderoffered financial support up toRs 30,000 annuallyfor three years
sion to breed vultures, get the chicks
towards the dharamshala' s maintenance,
and grow them. "God willingwe may
even release some in future," he added. He also noted that the BPP had im ported 600 truck loads of earth and clay from Madras with the help ofGodrejto proceedwith the greening of Doon gcrwadi. The BPP may register a 40
At the first paidusthe attended in Jamshedpur"a
non-Parsi caught up with me forsezdo!"
Gae suggested they file an application for cy pres if necessary.
Jhansi, with its population of 45 aged Parsis, at last has a puccaroad to the aramgah built by the cantonment au thorities.
lakhrupeeJossontheDoongerwadi
account this year, he noted.
"Is there any possibility of growing
!lowers at Doongerwadi to mitigate the loss?" asked The Bombay Samachar columnist Marzban Gian1. Flowers and fruit may lead to income, agreed Tamboly, but they led to encroachments on the property. Neitherdid he favor hawal trees as their thornsfall on the ground, making it risky fornasscssalars. "We need trees where birds can nest," he observed.
Regarding the licencesthat would he requiredfor the rearing of vultures the BPP had written to Sethna,attorney generaloflndia Soli Sorabjccand mem ber of the Rajya Sabha Fali Nariman. Sethna told them they were treadinga minefield; Sorabjcc urged them to be very carefulwhile Nariman suggested they meet and discuss the subject.
Group medical insurance
Wania, a chartered accountant who sponsored the idea, has been steadily working on the project along with Maneck Dastur of the United India In surance Company Limited, noted Gandhi. However,the Insurance Regu latory Bill passed since the Mhow meet decrees that the formal approval of the General InsuranceCorporation is man datory for private insurancecompanies floating group insurance schemes.This has resulted in foreign companiesshy ingaway,explained Wania.Also, whereas earlier groupinsurance schemes accepteda child at birth and even 90+ individuals were considered insurable, under the new requirements a child must be three-plus and the upper age limit stops at 70 years. "Thirty per-
35Parsiana October 2000
To add to the problemsis the question of administration as the BPP docs not have the manpower to deal with the community at large. According to Wania, United India Insurance works through a claims settlingagency where the group involves over 25,000 people as in the group policy of Godrcj. Also, while the insured individuals will be given a card and will not have to pay bills, the B. D. Petit Parsec General Hospitalwill re quire a special fund to absorb costs until the insurance money is realized,reiter ated Wania.
The future of the scheme rests with Wania as Gandhitold the delegates, ''You will have to address the communityand sell the idea and forward to the Federation secretary the names and addresses of people who want to avail of the policy.(It is) up to you to collect the premium,etc."
Anjumans
Dandiwalla spoke of land in Allahabad, gifted to Sural's NarimanHome accord ing to the will of the late Kaikhushroo Gandhy, which had not been officially transferred to the SPP. However, now there were indications of development with trees being removed,plots being demarcated and offers being made in the name of SPP. Therewas no response to Dandiwalla's statement from the del egates.
Agra is maintaining 128 graves in one of the oldestaramgahs in the country, noted
H. Debara. The tiny anjuman is said to be
spending up to Rs 40,000annually on the upkeepof its dharamshala which isnonetheless consistently ignored by Parsi travellers.WhenAdilNargolwalaof
Very few, very old people now remain in Saronda, according to Homi Palsetia. Their I 05-year-old adarianwith a I 0- lakh rupee corpus sustains an annual expenditure of Rs I ,00,000. They share the Tower of Silence with Nargol but the bungli there is in poor shape,reported Palsctia.
TheBPP, Bombay's largestprivate land lord, sustains an annual deficit of Rs
1.25crore on maintaining its 4,500+ flats, informedTamboly, yet the waiting list for housing numbers 2,024 appli cants. In a deal recently concluded with Nirlon90 more flats will be forthcom ing and allotments in two buildingsin Andhcri may begin shortly, he added.
"Is the BPP obligedto find accom
modation for everyone?" asked Baroda's Baman Cama."We arc obligedto give what the community needs," responded Tamboly, adding, "Weare trying to put them on the fast track despite being the favorite whippingboys of the Press!" He was referring to the BPP's earmarked one crore rupees for medicaleducation, foreigneducational funding for 57 indi viduals and Rs 50 lakhs disbursed in self-employment opportunities to eight persons.
When Guzdcr complained of Parsi
tenants who pay Rs 13 per month even though 20-30 percent of them have im ported cars, Giara noted "We have pam pered the community too much." Giara wasconscripted by Tambolyto make the communityaware of this failing. He took the scribe to task regarding non cooperation from his fellowtenants in Dadar where the BPP wanted to build 40 additional tlats. According to Tamboly,
the Punchayet had offered to relocate the tenantsin the same locality while the work was underway and had promised to pay penalty if it was not completedon time.
Referring to the Parsi conceptof Bombayas the "be all and end all of the world," Dalal said, "I came to Madras because I couldn'tget a flat in Bombay." He urged the BPP to strengthenoppor tunities and amenities for young Parsis in other parts of India to break through the community's "Bombay or USA" altitude. He also suggested that the Punchayet confiscate flats locked up by NRis (non resident Indians)but Tam boly informed him such action was not per mitted under the Rent Act. Dalal sug gested rents be pegged as a percentage of income. Tamboly noted that the BPP was now giving flatswith security de posit on leave and licence basis where the processof eviction takestwo to three years but some people had gone to court. Whereas the Punchayct used to spend onlegal fees in earlier days (when it took up to 22 years for the case to come up) itnow accepts 40 percent of the price of aflatin payment by cheque to effect achange of residents on its rolls.Accord ing to Wania, however, pagdi is legal ized only for privatelandlords, not for trusts who need to take the charity commissioner'spermission.
The IranianZoroastrian Anjuman (IZA) defrayed Rs 70,72,000 in medical and educational aid last year, informedits representative Bchram Irani. Of its I,500 acre inheritance only 900 acres arc in IZA control,while 400 acres'income has to be given to the local punchayct according to the terms of the court judg ment, he noted.
With two buildings nearly complete the Poona Parsec Panchayat (PPP) wi IIhave about 120 flats ready for occupation by December, reportedits trustee-secretary
E. Irani. No forms have been handed out however pendingthe formulation of a system of allocation between the PPP and its donors.
As the fence surrounding Doongcr
wadi is regularly broken by trespassers, the PPP intends to build a stone com pound wall to securethe property, E. Irani informedthe delegates.
Sethna, who represents the Federation on the Srinagar anjuman board referred to its beautiful aramgah in the army
36Parsiana October 2000
area. In good shape except for some broken gravestones, the aramgah' s re taining wall, which had fallen, was re paired by the army, reportedSethna.
On the 75th anniversary of the DPA the community was viewed throughnon community eyes -former Indian high commissioner to UK Dr L. M. Singhvi and Prof Lokesh Chandra,director of the International Academy of Indian Culture, among them- Sethnasaid.
Though the liberalDelhi Parsis are
"If any memberhas any greviance, it
should be settledwithin the anjumanitself"
not bound in controversies like their cousins elsewhere, the 600+ members of the DPA "don't want to respondto messages from the Anjuman,Why?" wondered an anxious Scthna.
Other anjumans said they had nothing significant to report.
Youth
The BPP Youth Club now has 227 ac tive members.They produced their first newsletter H P Youth Speak in 1999, organized a millennium treasurehunt, picnicand barge party,noted Zelda Mistry. A spin-olT of the BPP' s Holiday Programme for Youth (HPY), the Club's membership is restricted to HPY alumni. The 14th edition of the HPY was held in May 2000 when the participants cleaned four agiarics as part of their social work program, said Mistry.
Delhi youths meet informally and re main in contact via Internet, noted Nargolwala. The DPA's platinumjubi lee celebrations absorbedtheir energy earlier in the year. The Farohars(aged three to 17 years) organized a day-long fete, the proceeds being diverted to char ity in Gujarat.
The HPY docs not suit north Indian
timetables, noted Scthna. Howeverdur ing Dussera-Diwali, thcDPAitsclfhosts seven to eight youthsfrom other loca tions, taking them to institutions and places they would not normally go to, he added, and offered to share the DPA's experience in education-by-play method ofthe Farohar Club with interested anjumans. Thepre-navjotc hooks of
Piloo Jungalwalla were also available with the DPA, he said.
Baroda's Bomi Talatireferred to orga nizing functions where speakers like Noshir Dadrawala and Field Marshal Sam Manekshawwere invited to ad dress the youth. An inter university meet betweenSurat, Ahmedabad and Baroda was another highlight of recent months.
Congratulating the youth of Madras on their splendidentertainment program at the Piroj Clubwala MemorialHall the previous evening,Farzad Siganporia of Borivli admitted candidly,"Consistency is not our forte vis-a-vis activities." A pep talk from Borivliand Suburban Zoroastrian Association (BASZA) presi dent Noshir Paghdiwalla had led to the formation of a youth committee and the organization of various socialevents where the accent was on fun and frolic, noted Siganporia. Collecting and sell ing old newspapers to keep themselves financially independent, Borivli youths have taken to tutoringbackward stu dents, he noted.
Intercity football, ajashanand their an nualsports camp for everyone between the ages of three and 35 occupied Poona youth, according to RayomandMistry. Other highlights were a picnicto Bushy Dam and an audiovisual on agiaries and atash hchramspresented hy Rati Wadia, former principalof Bombay's Queen Mary School.
FOZY A (Federation of Zoroastrian Youth Associations)presidentPorus Karanjawalla infonncdthe gathering that whenUnvallahadbeentheirguest speaker at the 14th all-India youth con ference, he had promised to organizea youth seminar in Bangalore in conjunc tion with the agiary's 90th anniversary celebrations in January 2001. Respond ingtoearlicrqucrics regardingFOZY A's · commitment to social serviceKaranja walla declared that the organization is formulating guidelines for help to the aged.
E. Irani noted thatFOZY A should
have sufficient funds to sponsor a youth to the Seventh World Zoroastrian 'Con gress (7WZC)in Houston. He wondered why FOZYA, which had a scat on the Federation's executive council, failed to presenta copy of its accountsto the Federation.
It transpired that the subject of
FOZYA's accountshad been discussed with Gandhithe previous day when Karanjawalla had agreed to put up the proposition at its meeting later that evening. He now told Gandhi that the secretary and treasurer having been ab sent from the meeting, he could not proceed until he had spoken to them. While a patientGandhi wanted to know how long it would take, an irate Eruch Irani demanded,"Is FOZY A autono mous?"
Though Mogrelia disallowedthe question, Gandhi confirmed FOZYA's independent and autonomous statuseven as he advisedthe youths that as a public body it was desirableto make their ac
lakh rupees for educationfromsuch people, adding, "It was a collossal task."
Ventore capital
The BPP has taken the lead in register ing the Centre for Promotion of Entre preneurship and the Zoroastrian Invest ment Corporation Private Limited and
"Those going to the Congress must contribute by making the Indianpresence felt. .. not just expect
kha;: pee ne majah"
to avail of the facilityfor up to rupees I 0 lakhs for renovation of production fa cilities at 12 to 13 percent from banks and insti utions availablewithout col lateral duringthe two years he servedon the national commission of the Confed eration of IndianIndustry."Fiveyears ago we had to provide collateral. Not today," headded.
Gandhi recalled that the late Homi Taleyarkhan had also providedforms and souvenirs but there were no takers. "People get turned off when referredto the punchayet or anjuman. Our grassroots arc turned off from the lead ership," observedSethna.
counts public and projecttheirwork
Miscellanea
through an annual report. "Ouraccounts
are posted on the Internet," noted Karan jawalla.
Shireen Hectjcc of Indore suggested the youthstry an experimental living program betweenanjumans to increase awareness of problems elsewhere. It was noted that FOZYA's 14 years of exist ence had netted 15 marriages.
7WZC
On the issue of sponsoring youths to attend the 7WZC in Houston Guzder noted, "There are more applications than
we can afford," (At the timeofthe
donated Rs 20 lakhs towardsits corpus
which, with communitydonations, is expected to be two crore rupees,in formedBPP secretary Mehli Colah. Though they have writtento Parsi in dustrial houses,only Nusli Wadia had raised queries.No anjumans have re sponded, he added. "Without funds we cannot proceed," he noted.
D. Mistry believedthe Parsi Press had not sufficiently enlightened the com munity on the facilities available to en trepreneurs. He said no Parsi had sought
Unearthing more historicaland cultural information about the Parsis,Sethna, who is activelyinvolved with the UNESCO project,said he was planning a trip to Hyderabadto see the impact of Urdu culture on the community. He hadheard of monajatsin Urdu from that area. He urged delegatesto send in pic tures of old jewellery and artifacts and spoke of Rustam Vakil of Ahmedabad whose body was given a guard of honor on its way to Doongerwadi circa 1919.
The beautification of the Sanjan
Federation meeting the BPP's official carrier had quoted Rs 70,000 as return airfare to Houston. Since then Raj Trav els have taken over the group booking, quoting the return airfare at Rs 49,500).
BPP senior executiveSheroo Mas
ter, who is the Congressliaison along with Homai Modi, told the delegates that they had received49 applications which were shortlistcd to 25 of which about 15 students have been partly spon sored and four fullysponsored on the basis of five lakh rupees sanctioned by the BPP and five lakhs donated by Guzder. There hadbeen no response from other anjumans towardssponsor ship,she noted, nor from FOZY A.
"Those going to the Congressmust contribute by making the Indian pres ence felt. (They should attend) coaching camps to prepare for the Congress,not
just expect kiwi, peene majalz (food and
frolic). Preparation is most important,"
stressed Scthna.
DPA vice president Dadi Mistry sug gested that the BPP urge those who have established themselves on trust funds to now reciprocate. Master replied that it had taken the BPP I 0years to collectnine
37 Parsiana October2000
Kine of Catet'et'S
Uodiwalla's
Neville
Set'Vice with a smile
'Fo.. all yo"'..
I I I I
Q ,tSplCIOi,tS OCCQSIOt'\S
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Telephone: 3775360, 3775842,3717036
Fax: 91 022 373 2022
E- mail: ushtate@bomB.vsnl.net.in
Sai Niketan. 'B' Wing 13/13, 345 Mount Road, Mazgaon, Mumbai 40001 0
Stambh is almost completebut work on Gandhi, Adil Nargolwala and Yezdi the boundarywall is held up as funds PithawalafromDelhi;BomiandShireen promisedat the last Federation meet Heerjeefromlndore;Behramlranifrom have not been received, informed theIranianZoroastrian Anjuman; Palsetia. Khurshed Bhesaniafrom Jamshedpur;
According to MahrukhNoble and Ronny Dick from Jhansi; Nariman Cama, the Save Udwada Committee's Mogrelia, Keku Parakh, Jehangir work is finished but ------------- Clubwala,Da<Jiba
|
the shore continues |
"The train |
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GLOBE THEATRES
Pvt Ltd
Established
Those attendingthe Federation meeting were: Hosangand
FrenyByramshaw
a night in Agra" from Madras;
Hoshang W ania
April 3, 1915
Pioneers of Show
Dolat Debara from Agra;Porus
Karanjawalla and Hormazd Dasturfrom Ahmedabad; Capt Homi and Shireen Dandiwalla from Allahabad; Baman and Roshan Cama, Bomi Talati and Hoshedar Patwa from Baroda; Jamshed Guzder, Silloo Kavarana, Dinshaw Tamboly, Sheroo Master, Mehli Colah, Gool Kias and ZeldaMistry from Bombay; Noshir Paghdiwalla, Marzban Mehta, Yezdi Motiwala, Rohinton Siganporia and Farzad Siganporiafrom Borivli; Marazban Wadia from Davier; Lt Gen Adi Sethna, Dadi Mistry, Keki
from Nargol; Darius andMaharookh
Forbes, Eruch Irani, Sarosh Palkhiwala, Laehremet Mistryand Seher Kolahfrom Poona;Homi and Roshan Palsetia, Jehangir Mandwiwalla, Sarosh Poonawalla and Dinshaw Patel from Saronda; JehangirBisney from Secunderabad; Mani Clubwala repre senting the south zone and Dr Sam Bhacca from Surat. NadirshahUnvalla, Jamshed and Daisy Irani and Rustom Gae were special invitees. The Press was represented by The Hindu, The Bombay Samacharand Parsiana.
Business in India for the last 85 years
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• Ready hand and machine made Parsi garas available as
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• Ready original iari borders and zardosi net borders availableas well as made to order ones
• Japanese crepe, buttercrepe, Italian crepe, Georgetteand plain materialsare also available.
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38 Parsiana October 2000
Controlling:
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BUSINESS
Leopold, a lasting landmark
Parinaz M. Gandhi
A favorite eatery in Bombay, Leopold Cafe and Bar accommodates a potpourri of diners
There is a singlered rose on each of the 34 tables. The walls of the·restaurant bear imagesof well-known sites in dif ferent comers of the world witha promi nent farohar on the northernwall over looking a picture of the Gatewayof India. In factthere is a garlanded portrait ofZarathushtra at their 70-seater bar on the mezzanine floor too. The entire south em wall of their spacious premiseson Colaba Causewayis covered with anartist's impression of Leopold Cafe and Bar, giftedto them by one of their regu lar Chinese customers from Hongkong.
The credit for introducing this change
in decor, the willingnessto improvise and the transformation of the image of a traditional Irani restaurant in Bombay frequented by the workingclassand office going crowd should go to Gustad Dehmiri (who came down from Iran in 1985 to assist his father Framroze) and his partners:elder brother Rashid,and the Jehani brothers Farhang and Farzad."Sixty to 70 percent of our clientelemust be foreigners" staying in the dif ferent hotels and lodginghousesin Colaba who come to savor the nearly 300 items listed on the menu, not count ing the hot and cold beverages and fruit juices, says Gustad. Parsis must be ac counting for five to 10 percentof their diners with their preferred options being
tandoori and Chinesedishes, he adds.
Open from eight in the morning till midnight. the tourists find it convenient to start their day with breakfast here and drop in for other meals at timingssuit able to them. The cafe offers tasty and non-spicy food at digestible rates. In fact, the overseascustomers are willingto try out the other gastronomic delights on offer too. Among the most popularitems on theirmenu card, strategically sandwiched between the tablecloths and the glass topping on each four-seater table, is the chicken tikkapriced at Rs 150 for a full helping and the chicken tikka masalaat Rs 200, reveals Gustad.
40 Parsiana October 2000
He has also known of some of his die hard patronscarrying these items with them to Europeor the Gulf.Their chicken roast fry (Rs 150). chilly beef (Rs 85) and the butter nan (Rs 15) are a hot favorite too, mentions Gustad.
The positioning of the menu card is
the only commonfactor this restaurantmust be sharing with the other Irani establishments in south Bombay.Ac cording to the Dehmiris,Leopold does not face any competition with the other Irani restaurants down the same one kilometerstretch on ColabaCauseway which may attract customerswith their specialitysizzlers or juke box. They are content to be listed under the "Cafes in South Mumbai" in Mumbai This Fort night, a useful guide for every tourist where Leopoldis introduced as: "This 100-year-old cafe is another(Bombay) landmark and extremely popular amongst all tourists. Continental, Indian and Chinese food is includedin an ex tensive menu. It has an elaboratefresh juice bar and offersbreakfast mueslis. The Leo's Square (the bar) is as popular and can also be hired for parties. Credit cards accepted. Average meal costs un der Rs150 per head."
·Since almost all their waiters are con
versant in Englishand a few can speak Persian and Arabic too, Rashid says that usually there is no communication gap with theircustomers. Many of their staff members have put in many years of service and in fact a few waitersand cooks have returned to their jobs after trying their fortunein the Gulf, notes Rashid. Unlike other restaurants which prefer to hire them on a temporary basis to avoid the hasslesof provident fund, insurance, etc. Leopold likes to keep their staff on a permanent basis.
It is not only the staff, the proprietors
too have to pur in shifts to ensure good management. While the restaurant is open from morning to midnight, the bar. where local youth constitute 90 percent
of their clientele functions from 1.30
p.m. till midnight.The only holiday they permit themselves duringthe whole year is Jamshedi Navroz on March 21. They have a jashan at the restaurant in the morning,then distribute gift packets to the staff after which everyone dis perses to spend time with theirrespec tive families,reveals Gustad.
Leopold, namedafteraBelgium king,
was started as a drug store and wine mart byRustom Azarbadi in 1871. It was con\rerted into a restaurant about 40 years later with three new partners join ing him: Framroze Dehmiri, Aspi Azarmi and ShehryarJehani, Gustad gives the details.For the next seven decadesit was run like the other Irani restaurants in Bombay until Gustad arrived on the scene. Joinedby Rashid who came to India three years later, they went about introducing many changesin the next six years to transform the image and attract a sophisticated crowd. Until then the brothersonly had experience run ning the family's department store, Parsecs, in Tehran which now lies closed although the brothers continue to fre quent their homelandwhere ancestral property is still retained.
They reminisceofNavroz being cel
ebrated in Iran where children enjoy 13 days of holidays. Restaurants and of fices remainedclosed for three days. "Thecelebration is very much the same even today," says Gustad. Both the broth ers had initiallyschooled in Yazd before they were brought to Bombay where Rashid was sent to the HolyName School and Gustad to St Xavier'snight school. To this day, conversation betweenthe brothers is mainly in Persian and Dari.
Rashid's family residingwith him in
Bombay includes wife Homa, and son Meherzadand daughter Mojgan.Eldest son Meherdadis living in the USA and married daughter Mehemaz is settledin Canada. Gustad'sfamily includes wife Thrity, collegegoing son Rustom who
The interiors of Leopold Cafe and Bar with the partners (from left) Rashid Dehmiri, Farhang Jehani, Gustad Dehmiri and Farzad Jehani
(Far right) A 1923
calendar of Leopold and Company
helpsout at Leopold and marrieddaugh ters Morvaridand Jehan. Both Rashid and Gustad are in favor of Zoroastrians marrying within the community with Rashid clarifying, "We should guide our children." On the issueof accepting con verts to the faith, the brotherspreferred to withhold their comments.
They are happy when membersof the community seek their advice on running an eatery. So far around five Iranis have consultedthem making Rashidcom ment, "Itis good if a Zoroastrian name comes up. No Parsishave come to us.
!ranis who run a restaurant in the city are more hardworking than Parsis."
The brothersmay not have time to socialize with family and friendsbut
they do enjoy their holidaysand travel. And even though they may not partici pate in sportsor games they are happy tosponsor sports eventsorganized by Cusrow Baug, Rustom Baug, Parsi Gymkhana and Dadar ParsiColony, says Rashid.
Theirbar which accommodates a small dance floor is frequently patron ized by the youngstersfrom the Dadar Colony and Cusrow Baug with Gustad commenting that group bookings at the bar are encouraged for parties and fes tivities.Since admission is free, they prefer couples coming in rather than singles walking in which might involve trouble as was their experience a couple of years ago when they denied admis-
sion to an African girl fearing she did not have a companion, earningin the bar gain the wrath of the Press.
Theseminor irritants notwithstand ing, the Dehmirisfeel their effortsare rewarded when their premises are cho sen as the locales for television pro grams on MTV and CNN. And imagine their surprise when one of their German customers told them that he had already seen Leopold on the screen back home. Satisfied with their lot and happy with the customer feedback, for the present the Dehmirisare not planning to intro duce any new changes, content that din ers of different hues and denominations come here to experience the warmth and flavor of Bombay as a melting pot.
41 Parsiana October2000
BOOKS
Images of an industrialist
It was Naoroji (Naval) Godrej'senterprise which gave
Godrej a strong brand image, states Burjor Karanjia in his new biography
Hilla P. Guzder
Veteran thespians Gerson da Cunha'ssonorous voice and Sabira Merchant's clear, crisp accentsbrought to life Burjor Karanjia'sword pictures: "Naval was a celebrityand yet wasn't... essentially a very privateperson the fame that should have been hisdid not come to him in full measure.Thereasonwas,
simply, that he didn't care and had notime to publicize himself ... Naval in his wis dom, had always known that glory and fame are passing shadows. He dreamt grandly, but lived like a simpk. ordi nary human being. And if at the end of his days he found himself rich beyond riches,
heroic stature-a man who overcame tragedy, whose spiritdid not descend into bitterness ... a man who could ex tend and buildon family heritagerather than be cowed by who went before."
Elaborating on the book'stitle, Karanjia explained that he believedthe
·courts did not giveNaval
the victory he deserved, fol lowing the tragic incident of January 8, 1979 in which he was grievously stabbed,as were his pregnant daughterin-law Pheroza and his aged mother-in-law Gulbai Dastur, by a disgruntled worker.The brain behind the attack (said to be trade
the author, a smile and a pat on the head from his normally undemonstrative fa ther!
In a touchingtribute, Asha Sheth recalled her late husband Vasant's long friendship with Naval. Vasant, who was the managingdirector of the Great East ern ShippingCompany, and Naval were both passionate believers in free enter prise, yet had a great sense of national ism. Both thought they were doing the best for the nation, she said.
To Dharker' s query as to who was the
greatest Godrej, past or present, Karanjia replied that he believedthat it was thefounder Ardeshir- with his "inventive genius and mind that took wings like a butterfly," making surgical instruments,
it was in the loveof his work ers sho-wered upon him."
"Naoroji (Na\ al) Godrej
Naoroji Godrej:of heroic stature
union leaderDr Datta
Samant who was himself, ironically enough, assassi
locks, soaps and even purchasing a vine
yard at Nasik to can fruit decadesbefore the notion becamepopular.
inherited his unc lc Ardeshir' s inventive genius and father Pirojsha's consolidat ing skills." 1\:aranjia told a select audi ence of ill\ Ilees at the PEN All-India Centre at the Theosophy Hall in Bombay onAugust 7, 2000, at the launch of his new book Final Victory: The Life- and Death-ofNaval Pirojsha Godrej."This is not a sponsored book or one commis sioned by the house of Godrej," well known columnist and compereAnil Dharker told the gathering.Karanjia penned the book and approached Pen guin Books India for its publication, he added.
Present in strength at the functionwere members of the Godrej family, includingAdi who became group chair man followinghis uncle Sohrab'ssud den demise in May. Unable to attend were Naval's son Jamshyd and daughterSmita Crishna who were with their ail ing mother Soonu undergoing treatment in the USA.
"The Godrejs are a singularand ex
traordinary family," said David Davidar, chief executive officer and publisher, Penguin Books. "Naval was a man of
42 Parsiana October2000
nated by unidentified assailants 18years
later) got off scot free, believed Karanjia. It was the Press who stood by, to quote the words on the dust jacket of the book, ''one of those rare industrialists who had forged a legendary bond with his work ers; he trusted their essentialgoodness, believing he could have no enemies." That, accordingto Karanjia, was Naval's "fatal flaw," one which cost him almost 12 years of suffering, "from the partial recovery to the inevitable, untimelyand painful end."
In a discussion with the author,Dharker expressed surpriseat the fact that Naval, a pioneer in the manufacture of Godrej machine tools,typewriters and refrigerators, had no formalhigher education, having been chosenby his father to join the business soon after matriculation. "Pirojsha intuitively knew that Naval would be far better on the shop floor than at a collegedesk," opined Karanjia,considering that from boy hood Naval had a mechanical bent of mind, and had even as a child quietly dismantledand perfectly reassembled a watch- an act which earned him, says
Interspersed through the book are
personal vignettes, sometimestwang ing the reader'sheartstrings, culled from Karanjia' s reminiscences ofNaval from theirfive-decade-long friendship, inter views with Naval's family,friends. as sociates and workersat Godrej, and his private papers. In a long list of acknow ledgements,besides the family,Karanjia records his gratitude to senior advocate and chief prosecutor (in the stabblingcase) P.R. Vakilfor recounting details of the court battle, to legal luminaryNani Palkhivala and chartered accoun tant Fali Sarkari for their assistanceand to a host of Godrej stalwarts like P. D. Muncherji, PherozeD. Lam, K. R. Thanewalla, E. J. Kalwachia, Dr K. R. Hathi, M. D. Morawalla, Maneck Engi neer, etc.
Naval had a streak of daredevilry in him which gave the family some anx ious moments, writesKaranjia. As a young man he rode his Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle to the Godrej kar khana (workshop) atLalbaug. The "vast ness and timelessness" of the sea, its changingmoods and colorsfascinated
At the launch (from left) Top row: Davidar, Karanjia, Dharker; younger generation Godrejs Navrozeand Pirojsha (behind), Nyrika Crishna and Merchant. Secondrow: The author and his book; Adi and Parmeshwar Godrej, Vijay Crishna, RishadNaoroji and Pheroza Godrej. Bottom: Asha Sheth, Jehangir Nicholson, da Cunha, Adi Godrej and Saleem Ahmadullah
Photos: P. P. Hirani
him.With Kerse Naoroji,accompanied by their respective wives,Naval sailed to Goa in 1952 in a yacht without any tindals or paid hands on board.There followed many voyages including one to Karachi and back in 1967 in his yacht Tir especially built in UK according to his own specification. Vacations often meant drivingall over the country with wife and children, with Naval at the wheel or "walking holidays" with a trek to the Kolahai glacier in the Himalayas thrown in!
As a youngapprentice on the shop
44 Parsiana October 2000
floor, Naval was never afraid to soil his hands,even pitching in sometimes to lift heavy machines while they were being fitted, writes Karanjia. Thoughshort temperedand impatient of inefficiency, Naval mixed freely with the workers and showed interest in theirpersonal lives. His affinityfor machines led him to develop the machine tool section and his presidentship of the Indian Machine Tools Manufacturing Association guided the organizationthroughitsfledgling years. He pioneered the international exhibitionknown as IMTEX, the show-
case of the machine tools industry, which was hosted seven times on the sprawling grounds of the Godrej complex,Pirojsha nagar, at Vikhroli.
Naval initiated in the early 1950s the
manufacture of Godrej typewriters, said tobe the first not only in India,but in Asia as well. The 'soft touch' Prima typewriters introducedin 1983provided the strongly entrenched Remington such competition that the foreign manufacturer finally shut shop in India in 1993, says the book. "It fell to Naval," narrates Karanjia, "totransform Godrej from the
household name it was in the first half of the 20thcentury into a strong brand name in the secondhalf," with the Storwels (steel cupboards), safes and refrigerators earning strongcustomer loyalty. But the shortageof steel in the Nehruvianera worried him, as did the "Licence Permit Raj" of social controls which often hamperedproduction.
Neverone to duck challenges, the "impulses and imaginings of his restlessgenius" saw him weather many storms, from the disputeover the exciselevy on refrigerators to the unfortunate labor unrest at the factory in the 1970s.
In 1943, when the village ofVikhroli was put up for saleby the Commissioner for AccountsintheHighCourtof Bombay, Naval was declared the high est bidder, purchasingover 3,000 acres ofwhatwas then denseand marshy jungle. Naval was fully involvedin its transformation into an industrial town ship, with well laid out factorysheds, cross ventilated employees' residential quartersand the ahead-of-the-time three Udayachal Schoolsforalllevelsof Godrej workers. From the levelingof the land to the laying of the pipes and cables, Naval wanted to see things for himself, on one occasionscaling a 35-
foothigh tower via a vertical ladder with rungs one and a half feet apart to get a bird's-eyeview of the garden township!
A large expanse of swamp was pre served in its originalhabitat, one of the very few such areas in the city under mangrove forest. This 1,800-acretract is owned by the Soonabai PirojshaGodrej Trust (a cosmopolitan trust) named after Naval's mother who died in 1920 in Mussoorieat the young age of 30 follow ing an influenza epidemicwhen her youngestchild, Naval, was butthree years old and the eldestSohrab just eight.
One of the late industrialist's unful filled goals was the model township for the less privilegedto be constructed in associationwith HDFC (Housing De velopmentFinance Corporation) by the SoonabaiPirojsha Godrej Foundation, which unfortunately remainedbogged down by an indifferent state administra tion under successive chief ministers, writes Karanjia.
Together with the late Vasant Sheth, Naval set up the Foundation for Medical Research in Bombay, in which about 30 specialized researchscientists worked towards a cure for leprosy.One of Naval's pet philanthropic projects was the Mandwa Project (at Alibag) for the
Foundation for Research in Community Health where a primary health care cen terfor the villagers was set up.
The Naoroji Godrej Centre for Plant Research was set up in 1992 for the conservation of threatened plant spe cies, mass propagation of medicinal plants, etc. His love for animals spurred Naval into initiating the proposal for an electric crematorium, said to be the first
of its kind in Asia, at the Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals at PareI.However,the Maharashtra Pollu tion Control Board ditheredin clearing the project for as many as 14 years. The crematorium was finally established in 1997, seven years after Naval's death.
Knownto be a liberal in his commu nity views, Naval's decisionto stand for election as a trusteeof the Bombay Parsi Punchayet(BPP) in January 1985 took many by surprise. "Thefact that my family name is known for an indelible mark on Indian industry and Parsi phi lanthropy is not enough for me. I would personallylike to do what I can for the community... 30percentofthe profitsof the Godrej and BoyceManufacturing Company PrivateLimited today go to wards the various charities which have
continued on page 56
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46 Parsiana October 2000
READERS' FORUM
continued from page 6
Anjuman" and posted to The Igatpuri ZarthostyAnjuman, C/o Shri Gayo A. Kharadi, 703, Silver Cascade, 38, Mount Mary Road, Bandra,Bombay 400050.
D. F. ICHHAPORIA
Trustee, lgatpuri Zarthosty Anjuman Trust
Cancer caution
This is a true story about a young Parsi
lady of 33, very beautiful, talented and well educated. Except for changingher name, I have not embellished any facts. At 31, Zenia discovered that she had a small pea-sized breastlump which was somewhat painful.Without waiting or being the proverbial ostrich,she went off to her gynecologist and quizzed her on the dreaded big question of cancer.
The doctor, one of the most reputed members of the medicalfraternity, was kind, maternal and busy. Moreovershe had had years of experience with women and their phobia of cancer.She patted Zenia consolingly and sent her off with reassuring words and an affectionate hug. A year later, Zenia still had the lump. The doctoragain consoled her, and told her patronizingly that she was notto bother herselfwith medical prob lems; that was the doctor's job.
A second gynecologist also told her not todistress herself as this was a com monproblem in young women. After harboring the lump for two years or more, Zenia was beginning to get anx ious. The lump had grown. True it was painful. True that she was young and in perfect health.True that Zenia had never felt better in her life. But why was the lump there? Why was it growing and why did she have a gnawingfeeling of uneasiness?
Zenia decidedto change doctors
again.This time she went to an oncolo gist, a cancer specialist. The worried man ordered a few simple tests. He put a fine injectionneedle in the lump and examined the cells aspiratedout from the breastgrowth. He also discovered
of life as a cancerpatient and worry about her young family and her chances of a cure. Zenia hadnot failed in her vigilanceabout her health.We in the medical profession had failed her.
Letme spell out my messageloud and clear. Most breast lumps,particu larly in young girls and young women, are benign and harmless. Most benign lumps are painful,and wax and wane in size with the menstrualcycle. Fortu nately,very few youngwomen get breast cancer. It is a disease of those aged 40 and above. But what about the odd young girl who does get breastcancer? Who can predict that she will be the exception and not the rule? It becomes even more importantnot to miss her diagnosis.After all, her only chance of a cure is an early diagnosis. No breast lump from womb to tomb is normal.Nine times out ofI 0 the lump will be benign and cause no problems. Yet get it seen to by some one trained for the job. Get a diagnosis or a label for the lump before waiting for it to spread and grow into a monster.
No doctor, as no human, is perfect and each of us errs in our careers. This one little failureto send Zenia to the right person trainedin thejob has caused a tragedy.
We Parsis pride ourselves on being
educated, articulate and independent. So then, take charge of your own life.
DrROSHNI F. CHINOY
Prof and Head. Department of Pathology
Tala MemorialHospital
Irrigation inspiration
I wish to share with readers of Parsiana
a most revealing discovery of the un
known contribution of Zoroastrian irri gation systems to ancient India.Accord ing to DyingWisdom:rise, fall and potentialofIndia'straditionalwater harvestingsystemsedited byAnil Agarwal and Sunita Narain,Centre for Scienceand Environment, 1997, those systems were known as 'gobarbands,' which go back to Harappantimes. In the ancient world. irrigation technologies'
tion of a dam built here by Pushyagupta, the governor of Chandragupta Maurya, and the canals were built by Tushaspa under Asoka the Great (about272-232 BC). The name Tushaspasuggests he was a Zoroastrian. Niee to recollect this first Indo- Iranianproject, at a time when both countriesare working on the pros pect of a gas pipe line between the two nations.
According to E. Hughes Butler ( 1906)
in "Gobarbands in Baluchistan" (An nual Report,Archeological Survey of India, Calcutta, 1903-4), 'gobarbands' were "dams ofZoroastrian fire-worship pers." The solidityand size of these store dams was proportionate to the steepness of the slope. The object of 'gobarbands' was mostly to collect "a layer of alluvial soil over dry and barren rock, combinedwith the retention and economic controlof the distribution of flood water," in some cases as a reser voir. In Baluchistan, there was a system of 'gobrikarez' (underground water channels) which provided water supply and are also attributed to Zoroastrians. Those who have been to Iran may know of similar underground water systems still existing, from upland regionsto towns and villages. Archeologist Gre gory Possehl has observed 'gobarbands' formed a seriesof stairs, resulting in the formation of fields rich in alluvium and water. The insides were filled with rubble.
Any futureTushaspas '? ASPI MOODIE
My "dada;' S. R. Vakil
It has been a year since my grandfather
S. R. Vakil expiredMany peoplemay
remember him as a great solicitor or a directorof Tata Sons, but very few knew him as I did.
My early child
hood memories are captured m photographs of my "dada" as I fondly
another lump in Zenia'sarmpit.
The axe fell and hit notjustZenia, but Zenia'sentire family. Zenia had breast
spreadwas as important as information technology spread now. When the Achaemenid, Darius of Persiaannexed
Vakil: good head
andheart
called him, lying
down on his bed with me balanced
cancer which had alreadyspread to the glands in her armpit.
Why am I writing this story? Zenia is
my niece. She has a husband and two small children. She is now going to face mutilatingsurgery, radiation therapyand chemotherapy. She willface the reality
48 Parsiana October2000
Sindha11d Punjab in 526 BC, India came into meaningful contact with Iran. That contact grew in the Mauryanperiod (329-129 BC) when the first proof of a dam and irrigation systemin India was established. The Junagarh inscription of King Andradaman makes specific men-
on his stomach. I remember visitinghim
withmy parents and younger sister ev ery Sundayat his house in Cuffe Parade where we wouldall have lunch at the long dining table filled with the rich aroma of dhansakand other Parsi deli cacies.
Mydada loved havinga head mas sage. He used to look forward to Sunday afternoons when we went tovisit him. I remember as soon as I enteredhis room, he would sit up in his bed and ask me to sit behind him. Then, whilst he and my dad chatted over a glass of sherry,I massaged his head with cologne water.
Not many people will know this but
my dada had an amazingsense of hu mor. He and I wouldoften team up against my sister and tease her till she finally told him that she was not goingto talk to him anymore.He would then give her a naughty grinand tell her, "Darling, I am sorry. This is all your brother's fault. He told me to tease you." Anotherincident thatI clearly re member was when my parents bought a mobilephoneandshowedit to him some years ago. He immediately took it and made a prankcall to mygrand mother in the next room pretending to be a boyfriend of hers. I still laugh aloud
when I rememberthis incident.
I rememberhim and his racy jokes andsongs which heusedto recite to us on Sundays. We were amazedas to how he rememberedeach and every poem
through the years.
Iremember how tense he was just before my sse results were declared.
He was so happy when I told him that I had passed with distinction. He told me that I was the first Vakil to have got a distinction, and said that though he had stood first in. his university exam. his percentagewas only in the 60s.
He told me stories about himself and how he had to face varioushardships, hoping that I didn't face any of the hardshipshe had faced. To this I often joked and told him to buy me a big flat inBombay so thatI didn't have to worry, to which he would jokingly reply,"If I buy you a flat, I will become flat." I will never forget as to how he convinced my mother to increase my pocket money when I entered college.
As I grew older. he became more of a friend than a grandfather. I could talk
about anythingto my dada. He was a
very broad-minded person. We got to know each other very well in the last three-four years. However,I was sad dened to see him in the last year of his life. It was exactly a year before his death, when my dadi expired. I saw a drastic changein him. He was lonely and depressed as he now lived alone
with only a servant to keep him com pany. I continuedto visit himnearly every alternateday but was upset to see a man who always made me laugh look so quiet and depressed.
He expired on September 8, 1999. I misshim as a friend who would have been able to guide me through difficult times. I was really fortunateto have him as a lovinggrandfather and a great friend.
NEKZAAD N. VAKIL
Jokhi 's genius
The Parsicommunityisfortunateto
have a budding wizard in the making by
the name of Minu Jokhi.
The other day he was invited on a
|
In the good old days,our mehtaji
(tutor)used to teach us tables (aank) which we were able to prattle up to 30, aftermuch practice and with a good many pinches from the mehtaji.
Whenwe want to dial a few tele phone numberswe either refer to our personaldiaryortakethehelpofa
all
3736136, 3736194
mobile 98201 33399
49 Parsiana October2000
telephone directory. Jokhi remembers nearly 500 telephone numbers by heart. He also shoots off logarithms in a jiffy.
Parsis who hold important positionson the committees of differentorganiza tions should invite Jokhi to test his prow ess before their well-placed members. If Jokhi successfully faces the challenges, other organizations in India and over seas are bound to take notice and invite him. Thus, slowly, would Jokhi's name be known to a wider audience.
BHIKHAJI M. ADENWALLA
SurfingSurnames-III Here is the third list of about 175 sur names added to the two already pub lished ("Surfing Surnames," Parsiana, February-March 1997 and February March 1999):
A:Aagaragar, Aagboatwala, Aazaadpur, Abtin, Adarbad, Afagh, Afinwala, Afrigani, Afsheri, Alhabadi, Alibadi, Anoosheh, Anshkandar, Apoli, Aryana, Aryanfar,Aspandiyari, Azraami
B: Baarbhaya, Bajirao, Bakhtiyari,
Bakshay, Bamasi, Bangaa, Behmardi.Bhatgara, Boi, Boomlawala, Bordiwala, Brass, Bustani
C: Chemi,Chipia,Choukuri,Chow
dhary, Cowjiva, Cyrusi
i
I
I I
I
I
i
I
l
i
I
I
D: Dahodwala, Dastyar,Davli, Dindaar, Dollyna,Dolton, Dusadwala
E: Elubudi, Elvaadwala, Ena, Estegomat F: Falaadina, Faramarzian, Forogi
G: Gaaji, Gara, Godia, Goharzadeh, Goodarzi, Gostaaspi
H: Haataria, Holms, Hosieni
I: Ighani,Illu, Irandokht, Irawa
J: Jaardaa, Jaavidaan. Jaavraawala, Jahanbordiwala, Jangi, Javaanshir, Javanmardi, Jivaasaana, Jubaani
K: Kadkhodai, Kaikobadi. Kajiaan, Kaamaakhan, Kapraadewala, Kashmiri, Kashnavi, Kayomarzi, Kazaak, Khaatibi, Kharanwala,Khashidari, Kherawala, Khodadadi,Khojiyaan, Khoramshahi, Khorshidian, Khosraviani, Khoveri, Khullar,Khunjeri, King. Kohidaroo, Kolet, Konkarawala, Kurus
L: Lakdi
M: Maachi, Maaswa, Maatbar, Majai,
Makaabi,Mayan,Mazdayasna,Mazre kalamtari, Mehani,Meherezend, Meher zadian, Millwala, Mithuji,Munsif
N: Naamirian. Nadodwala.Nasiraa baadwala, Navamanek, Noraara, Notia, Nureyazdaan, Nusiaan
0: Ookaji,Oshtori
P: Paimaan,Paneerwala, Parestani, Parsaai, Partov, Pateri, Peshtoni, Pon chaajina, Ponchiajina, Porewala. Pour-
behrami, Pourdehi, Presswala, Purveshi R: Raamtaabaadi, Rahnamoon. Raina, Rashidi, Reader.Roshni
S: Sadaagat. Samson.Sarbh. Sarkaawala, Setalpurwala, Shaamerden, Shaaveri, Shahbaadi,Shahrzaari, Shaigara, Sheri yari, Sunaiji
T: Tambaak,Tankshaalwala, Tatnaana,
Tausiaan, Tejam, Tuketwala U: Umarkachchwala
V: Vafaadari, Vaharwala, Vakshur, Var
za, Vendor.Verchhawala W:Welder
Y: Yaganegi,Yazdaani, Yazdi
Z: Zadah, Zandof,Zaq, Zarthoshti manish, Ziatabari BURJOR M. DABOO
Ahmedabad Edited by Parinaz M. Gandhi
CORRECTION
Parsiana has erred in referring to Bombay Parsi Punchayet trusteeMinoo Shroff as vice president of Raymond Limited in some of its recent articles. We apologize to Shroff who is vice chairman of Raymond Limitedand all its group companies.
II
|
I I Ingersoll-Rand (India) Limited,RhcSne-Poulenc House,S. K. Ahire Marg, P. 0. Box9138,
|
50 Pars/ana September 2000
ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD
continued from page 16
ance, economical-political unrest, and the threat of war. Thus, in Mazdayasnan they are firmlyand unwaveringly com mitted to the creationof a new world order for the benefitof humanity, and all living things."
The21 principles of the International Mazdayasnan Order
1We believe in one SupremeCreator of the Universe,One God whom we know as Ahura Mazda; Lord of Matter, Lord of Life, and the Source of Truth.
2 We believe that all religions have an equal right to exist, and we furtherbe lieve that religions should never use force, deception, or coercion, nor should any religion imposeitself on others.
3We believe in complete equityof worth and dignityfor both men and women.
4 We seek to establisha basis of peace and love, of brotherhood and sisterhood, for all humanity.
5We seek the unification and oneness of
humanity, while yet respecting, uphold ing and protecting the right of every culturein the expression of its own form
throughthe cultivation and practice of good thoughts, good words and good deeds.
7 We believe in a firm commitment to speaktruthfully.
8 We believe in deep love and concern for our Mother Earth expressed through environmental protection: no po11ution of Nature's elementsof fire, water, earth and air.
9 We believe that there shouldbe no intermediaries between God and human ity.
10 We believe in an independent study
and investigation of all religions.
11 We believe in spiritually and envi ronmentally sound solutions to economic problems to eliminate poverty, starva tion and human degradation.
12 We believe in kindness and respect
towards all animals.
13 We believe that there should be no animalnor human sacrifices.
14 We believe that there shouldbe no
infliction of needlesssuffering upon the body such as severe fasting; for a sound spiritually elevatedmind needs a sound, healthybody.
15We believe that Prophet Zarathushtra
16We believe that it is the duty of a11 Mazdayasnan(s) to educate themselves and their families, and, whenever pos sible, to help providefor the education of their friends, neighborsand commu nities as well.
17We believethat it is the responsibility of all Mazdayasnan(s) to do missionary work for thereligion ofMazdayasna, by
teaching others about the reality of the Holy Prophet Zarathushtra.
18We believe that all Mazdayasnan(s) may achieve harmonyof religion and science by balancing the holyA vesta with the books of science.
19 We believe in the goal of a universal language upheld by a democratic world government.
20 We believe in optimism for and an involvement in the world community. with work and financial independence as essential goals for Mazdayasnan mem bers.
21 We believe that all Mazdayasnan(s)
should pray,meditate, chant and recite their manthras towardthe birthplace of Zarathushtra - who was chosenby AhuraMazda (God) as the Prophetfor humanity- in Paraspa, Iran.
of culturaldiversity and enrichment.
is immortal as are thosewho arrive at his
6 We believe in human self-betterment
level of spiritual attainment.
Compiledby Amavaz S. Mama
With Best Wishes From
Mr Rusy M. Shroff,M.B.E.
and
Mrs PurvizR. Shroff
52 Parsiana October2000
EVENTS AND PERSONALITIES
continued from page 12
KekiMehta joint treasurers. Subcom mittees have their own office bearersand 10-year-old Parastaar Sutaria offi ciated as the child presidentfor the func tion.
The souvenir acknowledges the mag
nanimity of severaldonors and sponsorsof the entertainment program which saw a lavish displayof color and costume, tracing man's evolution through the vari ous ages right up to moderntimes, with the boys and girlsof the colony parading and gyrating with vigor to choreogra phy by Roomi Madon. The heart-stop ping display of pyramids, directedby Cyrus Siganporia, saw littlelads perched precariously on top of tall human pyra mids. The extravaganza incurred a tilt of expenditureover receipts, with gener ous donors like Dinshaw Mehta and BPP trustee Dadi Engineer pitchingin to cover the deficit. Hilla P. Guzder
Recording her talent
To commemorate the 50th birth anni
versary of the late pianistHilla Khursedji,
a concert was held at Bombay's NCPA Little Theatreon September 9. 2000. The artiste chosen for the evening's per-
Progressives
formance was Ruskin Menezes, this year's winner of the Hilla KhursedjiMemorial Award which indudes a tro phy and a cash prize of Rs 3,000, notes apress release from
The Hilla Khursed ji MemorialTrust. "Though this Award was born outofgrief,loss, pain and above all love, its main aim is to reachoutto
young musicians, Khursedji: great
to foster,nurture future cut short
andencourage
emerging talent. for them to have faith intheir own abilities, to be dedicated and committed to consistently striveto learn and to perform to higher stan dards, to serve as a beacon of light to a rewarding and fulfilling career," it was stated at the function.
"It was most unfortunate that her sensitivegentle spirit was unable to with stand the pressures and strains which beset her...By the cruel hand of fate Hilla's young life was tragically cut short in 1983 when she was 32 and she left the musicalworld utterly devas tated," it was added.
Khursedji, who as a child artiste had been commended for her "remarkable ear," and variouslydescribed as a "little Mozart" and "child prodigy," had gone on to win numerous scholarships and accolades as she studied piano at the Curtis Instituteof Music in the USA. After obtaininga Bachelor of Music degree and a postgraduate certificate she was called upon to give solo recitals, and to play for chamber music concerts and the radio and television. She then left the States to make her home in London where she immersed herselfin all musical activities, and was nomi nated as"young musician of the year 1977-78"by the Greater London Arts Association, states the release.
It was recalled how one morningin 1975she surprised herparentsJeroo and Nariman when a Timesof India reporter in London flashed the story:"Bombay Indian girl tops in UK music contest:In the Royal Overseas League competition open to young musiciansfrom Com monwealth countries Khursedji, a Bach elor of Music from the US, was chosen for the semifinals from among 300 en trants from 13 countries..." Soon after her parentswere thrilled to learn that atthe final competition she was declared
Distance--
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Progressives need professional care .
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54 Parsiana October 2000
a wmner.
She is also known to have been the
firstand the only Indian lady in a sari to play the Ravel concerto in Ravel's birth place with the ToulouseOrchestra which earned her a standing ovation at the Jai Allai Theatre and five curtaincalls. Thrilled, she wrote to her parents,"Some times I surprisemyself. My only regret was you two and my dear brotherBurjis (equally gifted)and my community and country were not there with me to share my joy."
Thelast of her memorable concertswas her virtuosoperformance at Bombay'sTata Theatre where she showed her masteryat the keyboard, with criticsand admirers referring to her as the "pride of our city," states the press
release.
Rewarding the teacher
This year Alla habad's 71-year old Meher Dinyar Dhondy won her
Dhondy: guiding fourth award "for
Allahabad youth teaching and build-
ingthe character of the youth," notes a press release from CaptHomi Dandiwalla, president of The AllahabadParsee Zoroastrian Anjuman,
55Pars/ana October 2000
who describes her as "one of the most admired, ever willing, ever lively ...active members oftheAnjuman." Whilst grate fully receiving the Samanvaya recognition from the Sahityik, Samajik and SanskritikSansthan, Dhondy conveyed!that to her, a greaterreward lies in the beautiful letters and warm visits she receivesfrom her past students, now holding importantjobs and being settled with their own families.
A reputed teacherof English lan guageand literature to ICSE and ISC students.Dhondy has been contributing articles,stories and verse on thought provoking subjects in magazinesfor more than 40 years. "Her teachinggoes beyond her subject as she createsaware ness (of) subjects like anti-communal ism, religious harmony,the equality and status of women. and a feeling of com passion for the underprivileged," writes Dandiwalla. Empathizing with the youth, Dhondy is always ready to solve a teenager'sproblems, he added.
In one of her articles carriedin Woman'sEra, August(First) 2000, Dhondy writes,''Listening with interest is an asset, an art which numerouspar ents and elders lack, unfortunately. Scorning, belittling or brushing aside the young one'sproblems or sugges tions is a grave mistake...Today' s youth
Centenarian Mubarakai (right) and(top) with her 101- strong family
will not accept anythingwithout ques tioning."
At the interfaith meets in AllahabadDhondy is invitedto speak on the Zoro
astrian religion. She had once expressed, "Prayers are not meant only for petitions or appeals! Prayer is a direct link with divinity. Itis a tonic and a refresher, and
it helpsyoutoglowandgrowfrom
within. A few minutes daily will enrich your mentalcapacity, making you a better person."
Recipe for longevity
Not only the family, the farmers and
fisherfolk too turned up in droves to celebrate the 1OOth birthdayofShirinbai Hormusji Mubarakaiof Dahanu on Au gust 3, 2000. "She is blessed with a family of 11 children (three of whom have passed away), 29 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren and seven great great-grandchildren with three more due by the end of the year. taking the score to 101." writesDr Aban Irani of Poona.
Once a regular visitorto the Agiary built by herlate husband nearly 50 years
ago, Mubarakai' s only regret is that for the last coupleof years she has not been able to pay her respectsthere. "Her physicalfaculties have weakenedand she has to be supported while walking from her bed to the sofa in the drawing room where she pursuesanother of her favorite pastimes-meeting family and friends." Songs like Rudy Savar and Khudavand-e-Khavid she continuesto sing daily with her friend Adi Sanjana. Chhaiye HarneZarathoshti is another of her favoriteswhich she gustily sings with her great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren.
Bornto Sherbanoo and Hormusji Irani, Shirinbai did her schoolingup to standard VI in Gujaratifrom the Panday School in Bombay. On marrying Hor musji at the age of 18, she moved to Dahanu where she started a school for toddlers whichhas now grown to a regu lar high school. Her love for gardeningmade her run a flourishing nursery, the proceedsof which went to charity,her biographical detailswere recounted for Parsiana. She would also assist her hus band in his business and until the age of 75 she frequented Bombay nearly every alternate day, running errandsfor the house and business,and meeting rela tives and friends. "Never known to waste asingle moment, she would cook for the entire family, making masalasand sea sonal specialities like vasanu and patrel, distributing them to relatives and friends," mentionsa family source.
Her memory of past eventscontinues
to be commendable and she still retains a keen interestin her surroundings. She now tends to forget names "and we have to play guessinggames from the clues she gives us,"according to Irani.
Although perturbed by the risein
intercommunity marriages, Mubarakai realizesthat with an increasing expo..: sure to a cosmopolitan environment, intercommunity friendships are bound to be struck. She feels it is the duty of parents to instill moral values among their childrenand guide them to follow the tarikatsof the Zoroastrian religion, praying with the children daily and tak ing them to fire-temples regularly.
Whilst expressinga keen desire to learn English, Mubarakaiwho shares her birthday with the Queen Mother attributes her long life to the four 'F' s
-faith, family, farm food and fresh air.
BOOKS
continued from page 46
been founded by the Godrej family ...
·The twin facets of housing- new con struction and repairs- would be en gaging my urgent attention ..." Naval had declaredin his election manifesto.
"The amount of time he spent on the
housingproject (at Godrej Baug) was incredible," Jamshydis quoted in the book. ''From the ground breaking stage onwards, he would reviewthe progress every Saturday. Right through his long illness... he desired to drive through Godrej Baug to see thingsfor himself." But his one-and-a-half-year foray (as a BPP trustee)was less than happy, writes Karanjia, with Naval resigning"when he foundhe was unable to function." His backing of the controversial Athravan Educational Trust, whichsought to ame liorate the condition ofParsi priesthood, was another exampleof his sturdy inde pendence,believes Karanjia.
Thehard cover book is published by Penguin Books India (P) Limited.11, Community Centre, PanchsheelPark, New Delhi 110017. Priced at Rs 395, it is illustrated with 24 pages of black and white pictures and numerous anecdotes
-Naval as a boy playing hide and seek darting in and out from betweenthe front and hind legs of the horses of parked victorias, his early schoolingat St Patrick's in Karachi where Naval and his siblings Sohrab, Burjor and Dosa had been sent to live with their maternal grandmother Virbaiji following their mother's death;his interest in reading Shakespeare or listening to classical music on his 78 r.p.m.records, his simple dress and lifestyle and advent into veg etarianism,his 58-year association with Godrej, the bestowing of the Padma Bhushan on the man whose businessphilosophy incorporated the belief that if one wasn't makingmistakes, one wasn't trying hard enough!
This is thethird ofKaranjia' s books on the Godrejfamily, the earliertwo -
Godrej: A HundredYears (VolumesI and
II) - havingbeen published in 1997. Former editor of Filmfare and Screen, Karanjia has authoredmany other books, including Portraitof a Citizen (a biogra phy of Rustom Masani) and Give me a Bombay Merchant-Anytime! (the life of Sir Ja setjee Jcjeebhoy). i-Ie has been chairman of the Film Finance Corpora tion and the National Film Development
FANNINGTHE FLAME OF...
continued from page 32
Clubwala described Bhote as "used to handling children,(a) born teacher." She .also creditedthe parents who at tended practices with their childrentill late hours of the night.
Muchof the advertising for the bro chure was thanks to the contacts of Jehangir Clubwalaand Nariman and Mahabanu Mogreliaand of the outdoor advertising agency Selvel Vantage who put their staff at the Anjuman' s disposal, noted Mani Clubwala.The committee members were also expected to bring in five advertisements each. Kali Billimoria of Kamrad News Advertising Limited designed the beautiful cover page of the brochure, folders, letterheads and invi tations that fanned out not only to com munity membersbut to government big wigs and the consular corps.For as Mani Clubwalaexplains, "Weareasmallcom munity. We want to improveour image, make people aware of us because they still often ask, 'Are you Anglo-Indians? Are you from Europe?'" With the num bers of Parsi Zoroastrians inching up in Madras, such questions may gradually cease to be heard.
MATRIMONIAL
Wanted an educated, warm-hearted, slim, pretty and cheerfulParsi girl for a
30-year-old boy, from a highly cultured and educated Parsi family. The boy is tall, fair, good-looking and very well educated. He is caring,
family-loving and well
travelled. He is a highly successful software professional based in the US, but also has a home
in India, and visits regularly.
Parents or interested individuals please write with photograph and detailed information to:
The Advertiser
Parsiana, Matrimonial (OcV19-2000)* GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001
*Please make sure the reply envelope
Corporation and has served on interna
bears the referencenumber cited here.
Compiled byParinaz M. Gandhi
56 Parsiana October 2000
tional film juries.
|
MILESTONES |
|||
|
The age of Zoroastrian brides (as listed in this issue) ranged be tween 23 and 33 years, the arith metic mean (the total number of individual ages divided by the total number of brides) being 27 |
The data on births, marriages and deaths has been compiled from information supplied by various newsletters and anjumans in India and abroad, courts and hospitals. This infor |
September 1 Phiroze Burjor Tantra (66), N1, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; September 1 Piroja Jelzangirji Dundas (89), |
Lalbaug, 400012; September 8 Dhunmai Darabsha Kharas (84), 5/2, Ness Baug, Nana Chowk, 400007; September 10 Delzin Parvez Dadabhoy (20), Tower Garden Rd, Dhulia, |
|
years. The corresponding figures |
mation is not always complete or |
Kl/32, M. F. Cama Park, |
Maharashtra, 424001; |
|
for the grooms were 29 and 41 |
consistent: we are unable to carry |
Cama Rd, Andheri (W), |
September 11 |
|
years, averaging at 33 years. |
data from areas where the |
400058; September 2 |
Tehmi Rutton Shroff (83), G-6, |
|
There were 63deaths as com |
anjumans do not furnish the par |
Cawas Hormusji Engineer |
Shapur Baug, V. P. Rd, |
|
pared to 16 births in Bombay in |
ticulars; the birth figures for |
(83). B-30, Goo! Mhl, Sleater |
400004; September II |
|
September. Twenty-eight Zoro |
Bombay are supplied by two |
Rd, 400007; September 2 |
Minoa Honnusji Tampa[ (85), |
|
astrians succumbed to heart dis |
hospitals -births in suburban |
Khorshed Homi Malu (74), B |
H-21, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, |
|
ease of whom 13were in the 80+ |
hospitals and private nursing |
Block, C Wing, Terresa Bldg, |
400039; September 11 |
|
age-group. Pneumonia and lung |
homes are not included unless |
Plot 212, Bhayander (W), Dist |
Nargish Nariman Patel (15), |
|
disease felled nine patients while |
individuals send us information |
Thana, 400601 ; September 2 |
D/2, 12, S. B. Bharucha Baug, |
|
six fell prey to cancer. Falciparum |
together with a copy of the birth |
Jehanbux Phirozshaw Popat |
Andheri (W), 400058; |
|
malaria and general debility/old |
certificate. There may be an in |
(73), 1/B/17, Tata Mills Co-op |
September 12 |
|
age took a toll of three lives each |
advertent repetition of names in |
Hsg Soc Ltd, Elphinstone Rd, |
Soonamai Framroze |
|
whereas two Zoroastrians each |
the marriage list when a civil |
Pare!, 400012; September 3 |
Daruwalla (89), C/o Dr |
|
died due to hypoproteinemia (de |
marriage precedes a religious |
Minocher Khurshedji Sethna |
Dossibai and Jehangir |
|
ficient protein in the blood |
ceremony. In the breakup of |
(88), 10, Patel Bldg, Cama Rd, |
Ratanshaw Dadabhoy Charity |
|
plasma), kidney failure and sep |
deaths according to illnesses, |
Andheri (W), 400058; |
Trust Home, Masina Hosp |
|
ticemia. The isolated cases reg |
especially of the elderly, death is |
September 3 |
Compd, Victoria Rd, Byculla, |
|
istered were diseases ofthe brain |
often due to a combination of |
Sheroo Darabshaw Dinshaw |
400027; September 13 |
|
and liver, urinary tract infection, |
several diseases. |
(72), Cooper Bldg, Marzban |
Homi Jamshedji Colabawalla |
|
Non- Hodgkin's Lymphoma, tu |
If readers have any births/ |
Clny, Bombay Central, |
(86), 12/18, Nawab Manzil. |
|
berculosis, uremia, asphyxia due |
marriages/deaths they would like |
400008: September 4 |
Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; |
|
to drowning, diabetes and |
published, some proof to ensure |
Dadi Shapurji Gandevia (74), |
September 14 |
|
asthma. The age range fluctu |
the veracity of the report would |
286/C, Irani Bldg, Sopari |
Jal Ratansha Kavarana (83), |
|
ated between 20 and 95 years. The Zoroastrian life expectancy |
be required. We are sure our readers would appreciate this |
Baug Rd, Parel, 400012; September 4 |
Villa Kavarana, 67, Scheme IV, Rd no 3, TPS IV, Bandra, |
|
at birth for September, in |
requirement and cooperate with |
Tehmi Pheroze Sidhwa (90), |
400050; September 14 |
|
Bombay, was 76 years. BOMBAY |
us. A boy to Viloo and Jango |
Dina Bldg, 53, M. Karve Rd, 400002; September 4 Roda Keki Jasavala (12), |
Naval Honnusji Kamode (85), H-23, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; September 15 |
|
BORN A girl, Hufrish, to Shehrnaz |
Damania; September 21 A boy to Sanober and Kersasp |
Piroja Mans. Sir Ratan Tata Rd. Tardeo, 400034; |
Coomi Gustadji Kapadia (81), 8, Sheridon Hse, A. K. Marg, |
|
and Kaiumarz Sethna on |
Patva; September 26 |
September 5 |
400036; September 15 |
|
July 3, 2000 |
A girl to Azmin and Noshir |
Banoo Padam Pavri (81), |
Dhunjishaw Rustomji Mirai |
|
A girl to Khaneejeb and Vispi |
Kaka; September 28 |
24/F, Dhun Bldg, Batliwalla |
(75), Panday Sanatorium, |
|
Patel; September 2 |
A boy to Shirley and Viraf |
Villa, Sleater Rd, 400007; |
Colaba, 400005; September 15 |
|
A girl, Nayomi, to Binaifer and |
Adajania; September 30 |
September 5 |
Tahemton Merwanji Bam (82), |
|
Zarir Amaria; September 5 |
Shirin Minoo Mistry (78), |
8/3, Malcolm Baug, S. V. Rd, |
|
|
A boy to Firuza and Yezdi |
MARRIED |
17-B, Belvedere Court, Sane |
Jogeshwari (W), 400102; |
|
Bajan; September 5 |
Zena Minoo Master and Yazdi |
Guruji Marg, 400011; |
September 17 |
|
A boy to Daizy and Cyrus Zaveri; September 5 |
Jal Mistry of Middlesex, UK; February 12 |
September 6 Hoshang Cavasji Dumasia (56), |
Pirojbai Pestonji Bhanja (81), R. C. Sethna Bldg, Golanji |
|
A boy to Meher and Honnuzd |
Zenobia Adi Balsara and |
4-403, Shangrila Bldg, Andheri |
Hill, Parel Village, 400012; |
|
Sinor; September 7 |
Porus Khushroo Kapadia; |
(W), 400058; September 8 |
September 17 |
|
A girl to Persis and Shahzad |
September I |
Nadersha Manekji Gandhi |
Jalamai Kekhashru Bacha |
|
Wadia; September 7 |
Shazneen Feroze Wankadia of |
(83), Ashraf Manzi!, 29th Rd, |
(90), C/o Amy Noshir |
|
A girl, Jesica, to Rukshad |
Thana and Farrokh Ratansha |
TPS III, Pali Naka, Bandra |
Daruwala, I0, Jaidev Hse, |
|
and Kurush Pardiwalla; |
Guard of Thana; September 17 |
(W), 400050; September 8 |
Dadi Santok Lane, Dhobitalao, |
|
September 9 |
Hutoxi Rustom Hansotia of |
Khodaram Sheriar Irani (52), |
400002; September 18 |
|
A girl to Peenaz and Tahemtan |
Ajmer and Rashid Furokh |
4/25, A. H. Wadia Baug Co-op |
Freny Adi Madon (65), B/5, |
|
Dhamodiwala; September 18 |
Irani; September 29 |
Hsg Soc, Parel Tank Rd, |
Sanjay Co-op Hsg Soc, Opp |
|
A boy to Kamal and Sam |
400033; September 8 |
Bengal Chemicals, Veer Savar |
|
|
Katgara; September 18 A boy to Kainaz and Farokh |
DIED Dina Edul Masani (65), |
Jerbai Burjorjee Khambatta (88), 659, Keki Hse, Parsi Clny, |
kar Rd, 400025; September 18 Dolly M. Nadirshaw (74), F. S. |
|
Bharucha; September 19 |
residing at 8, Lady Meherbai |
Dadar, 400014; September 8 |
Parukh Dharamshalla, Hughes |
|
A girl to Roshan and Bur}is |
Tata Bldg, S. V. Rd, Bandra, |
Dolly Phiroze Mehta (83). B. |
Rd. 400007; September 18 |
|
Pardiwala; September 20 |
400050; August 31 |
Subhadra Nivas, Cumballa Hill |
Homai Motabhoy Contractor |
|
A girl, Arushi, to Parizad and |
Kaikhushroo Jehangirji |
Rd, 400036; September 8 |
(81), Sugra Manzi!, BEST |
|
Zubin Zarthoshtimanesh; |
Chinoy (71), 6-2, Spenta, |
Freny Nariman Siganporia |
Marg, 400039: September 20 |
|
September 20 |
Ridge Rd, 400006; |
(72), C/28, Nowroz Baug, |
Pervin Dosabhai Shroff(53), |
58Pars/ana October 2000
|
27, Old Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 400007; |
Modern Flats, 128, Wodehouse Rd, 400005; September 25 |
Dadar, 400014; September 28 Keki Dadabhoy Guzdar (77), |
Clny, Dadar, 400014; September 29 |
|
September 20 Freny Framroze Karai (74), The Goa Hindu Association Bldg, 358, Lamington Rd, |
Banoo Phiroze Gandhi (73), 804/B, Sai Niketan, Dr Ambedkar Rd. Dadar T.T., 400014; September 25 |
62, Patanwalla Mhl. Patanwalla Rd, Byculla, 400027; September 28 Aloo Dorabji Panveliwalla |
Rusi Hormusji Daruwalla (72), Dr Dossibai and Jehangir Ratanshaw Dadabhoy Charity Trust Home, Masina Hosp |
|
400007; September 22 Rustom Nusserwanji Dastur |
Homi Rustomji Irani (90), C, Wadia Bldg, Behind Wadiaji |
(77), 628, Turel Ter, A. B. Homavazir Rd, Parsi Clny, |
Compd, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; September 29 |
|
(86), 793, Jame Jamshed Rd, |
Atas Bahram, Dhobitalao, |
Dadar, 400014; September 28 |
Rati Burjor Pavri (80), Preyas, |
|
Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; September 23 |
400002; September 25 Ratanshaw Dosabhai |
Adi Pallonji Tavadia (71), M/24, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, |
20, Dadiseth Lane, Babulnath, 400007; September 29 |
|
Nariman Dorabji Mistry (86), |
Bilimoria (81), 908. Cumballa |
400039; September 28 |
|
|
19, Seth Jamsetji Tata Bldg, Tata Blocks, S. V. Rd, Bandra, |
Crest, 42, Peddar Rd, 400026; September 26 |
Jer Savaksha Bhagalia (89), Yad-El, Malcolm Baug, |
CALCUTTA DIED |
|
400050; September 23 |
Rashid Ardesher Irani (48), |
Jogeshwari (W), 400102; |
Dati Rutonji Bhesania, |
|
Silloo Russi Patel (72), |
Cama Baug Hse. Khetwadi, |
September 29 |
husband of Dina and father of |
|
Windcliffe. 50-D, Peddar Rd, |
14th Lane, 400004; |
Aloo Cursetehji Chandaru |
Zarin and late Sarosh; |
|
400026; September 23 |
September 26 |
(78), Baite Zainab, Dadoji |
September I |
|
Perin Minoa Vakharia (80), |
Homai Jehangir Shroff (73). |
Konddeo Rd, Victoria |
|
|
C/o Behroze Z. Dadina, Lady |
Mohammedbhai Mans, Kemps |
Gardens, Byculla, 400027; |
PARBHANI, |
|
Dorab Tata Bldg, Tata Blocks, |
Corner, 400026; September 26 |
September 29 |
MAHARASHTRA |
|
S. V. Rd, Bandra, 400050; |
Minoa Nusserwanji |
Ratanbai Merwanji Chitalwala |
DIED |
|
September 23 |
Taraporewala (72), 443. |
(89). 671, Boyce Bldg, Parsi |
F eroze Rattansha Parakh (71), |
|
Dossan Pirojsha Gazdar (86), |
Matusadan, Urimal Anand |
||
|
7/2, Rustom Baug, Victoria |
Ashram Hotel, Chira Bazar, |
||
|
Rd, Byculla, 400027; |
400002; September 26 |
SITUATION VACANT |
|
|
September 24 |
Perin Manek Daver (70), 6/B, |
||
|
Dali Dinshawji Mehta (68), 18, |
Crown Mans, Forjett Cross |
Required Sal |
es Executive |
|
Munsif Bldg, Captain Clny, |
Lane, 400036; September 27 |
for publishing/printing |
concern in Fort area. |
|
Tardeo, 400036; September 24 |
Navroz Minocher Patel (66), |
||
|
Savak Cawasji Zaveri (94), |
T-16, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, |
Write giving |
full details to |
|
Room no 405/406, 260/A, |
400039; September 27 |
The Adverti |
ser (Sales) |
|
Kuka Sadan, Dr B. A. Rd, |
Burjor Faramroze Doriawala |
GPO B |
ox 892 |
|
Pare!, 400012; September 24 |
(82), 658, Khorshed-Abad, |
Bombay |
400001 |
|
Homai Burjor Dalal (95), |
Firdoshi Rd, Parsi Clny, |
With Best Compliments From
SINCE 1974
Guniting, Civil & Painting Contractors
Specialists in renovation of multi..storied buildings
1stFloor, 7, Cassinath Building,Cassinath Street, Tardeo, Mumbai 400034
Phones:4923560/4938949Fax:4925601
Gram: VELDCOATS
59Parsiana October 2000
husband of Nanki, father of MehernazBapuji Chenai, Shirin Pankaj Jayant and Dinaz Darius Chenai;September 14
FIGURES AT A GLANCE*
Bombay India
This issue 2ooo• This issue 2ooo•
World
This issue 2ooo•
SECUNDERABAD
DIED
Mehernosh Homi Major(43),
brother of Fali; September4 Mehroo Karkaria (73),wife of Dara and mother of Marzban and Armin Cavas Deboo; September22
SURAT
DIED
Alamay Pestanji Patel (92),
BIRTHS
Boys
Girls
MARRIAGES
Parsi
INTERCOMMUNAL
Males married out Females married out
DEATHS
CONSIGNED
8 54 5
9 58 4
4 87 9
20 2
19 1
3 14
11
6 17
Agiyari Maholo, Vesu; August 1
Jalegar D. Amariya(65),
Village Ilav, Dist Bharuch,394810; August 2
Parvez Firogasha Bhathena
(68), Nariman Home and
Males Females
CREMATED
Males Females
28 332
36 346
5
3
10 52 11 40
3 42 9 32
Infirmary, Shahpore,395003;
August 2
Parinbanu Shapurji Kapadia
(80), Gopalesurar Row Hses, Tarvadi, Rander Rd, 395005; August 11
Baby boy ofKhushru Nariman
Tamboli (Mistry)(premature),
401, Park Avenue, Delah Maholo,Rustompura, 395002;
August 12
SamNaoroji Daruwala (62), 5,
•Running totals for 2000 (January2000-0ctober 2000 issues)
Overseas deaths are listed in the consigned column as Parsiana does not have a breakupof those cremated.
*These figures pertain to information providedto or collected by Parsiana. They do not representthe total.number of births, marriagesand deaths in the Zoroastrian community in India and abroad.
of Marion in Richmond; NORTH IRELAND USA
July 22 BORN California
A boy, Armaan, to Radhika BORN
|
and Khushroo Fitter, brother to
Allahi Baug,Rustompura, 395002; September 9
BORN September 7
A boy, Hormuz, toTeenaz
Roxanne and Shahnazin
Soli Rattanshaw Mahoovawala
and Mahveer Javat,brother PAKISTAN Irvine; July 15
(79), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore,395003;
September 17
Navroz Ardeshir Vakharia
(78), Yogi Smurti Apt, Near
Parsi Library, Nanpura,
to Sherezade; July 28 Karachi
A girl, Alyssia, to Vicky and DIED
Kaizad Divecha; August 20 Sheroo Soli Dubash(73);
May2
MARRIED Shirin C. Mehta (77); May 3
Shireen Sethna, daughter of Shera Rustom Sethna(86);
MARRIED
Shahrzad Raisi,daughter of
Katayoun and Ardeshir, and Pedman Moobed, sonof Parvin and Rostam;
395001; September 17
Soli Burjorji Engineer(60),
7/192, Nagina St, Rander;
Freny and Boman, and Farhad May 10 September 1
Shishbiradaran, son of J.P. Confectioner (66);
|
Keshvar Bolandi, mother of
September 19
CANADA
***
Meena Kumari Radhakrishnan JamsheedK. Irani (81); and Richard Steckly,son of May 19
Betty and Irwin; June 29 Aspi DinshawAga (68);
Stephanie Brown in San Francisco; June 30
British Columbia
Jasmine Mistry,daughter of June 4
Minnie J. Vania (96);June 5 Illinois
MARRIED
Nazanin Mehin and Hooman
Darabian of France in Vancouver;July 22
Aban and Eruch, and Darayus
Kanga, son of Dogdoand Noshir R. Minwalla (82);
Minoo; August 6 June 7
Roya /zadian, daughter of Minocher P. Confectioner
DIED
TehminaBilimoria, wife of Rustomji and mother of Yazdi
Farangis and Rostam, and (75); June 8 andNergish Kayomarsh Mehta
Faridoon K. Dadachanji (84); in Palos Hills; May 29
DIED
Homi Amrolia (90), husband
of Gool and father of Dinyar,
Sheroo and Silloo Parekh
Farshad Khorrami, son of
Parvin and Ardeshir in June 16
Toronto; September 1 Khorshed Jal Sidhwa (76), Virginia
mother of Yazdi and Feroze; DIED
Dilshad Framroze Patel (91),
in Vancouver;May 26 Shahryar /ranshad (77), husband of Banoo and father of Ardeshir,Shahrokh,
Farrokh, Kourosh and
IRAN June 17
MARRIED Bacha N. Mobed (91);
Nasreen Mazdapourand June 19
Khodaram Foroughi Biuki Soli K. Divecha (66);
of Maple Ridge, British June 22
mother of Perviz Ruttan Mancherje, NargisDinshaw Manekji and late Shavax in Arlington; September 14
Shahram in Richmond; June 19
Columbia, Canada,in Sorabji D. Master (88);
Compiled by Roxana A. Driver
Baji Ghadiali (76), husband
60 Parsiana October 2000
Tehran; March 30 July 23