Calcutta concerned

There were 13 Parsi deaths in Calcutta in 2003, as reported by the Calcutta Zoroastrian Community’s Religious and Charity Funds (CZCRCF). In the absence of vultures should the dakhmenashini system be continued or should the community opt for an alternative method of disposal? To ascertain the views of the local community the Parsi Zoroastrian Association (PZA) in Calcutta circulated a questionnaire to 377 households in March 2003. Of the 180 households (47.8 percent) that responded to the questionnaire, 183 individuals were not in favor of continuing with dakhmenashini and 144 were in favor.

The discrepancies in the totals of the responses to the different questions can be attributed to the fact that not all the respondents answered every question, notes a clarification by PZA president Homi C. Gotla, and the joint honorary secretaries Dinsha B. Surti and Dhun F. Billimoria that accompanies the responses to the eight questions carried in the CZCRCF newsletter, Calcutta Gavashni (April-June 2003).

At the Calcutta felicitation (from left) Bahadur Postwalla, Cyrus Madan, Madon, Mehta and Russi Jeejeebhoy

When asked if they would opt for cremation, 188 individuals answered in the affirmative and 72 declined. If cremation, would they agree to a public crematorium? Yes, said 97 and no, said 145. Would you prefer a crematorium only for Parsis if this is possible? It was preferable to 195 individuals and not to the remaining 48.

If opting for cremation would they expect the normal four-day prayers? One hundred and seventy-nine said yes and 54 said no. Would they agree to an abridged version of the prayers by a priest if full prayers are declined? This time 159 replied in the positive and 82 declined. If the services of a priest are not available would they accept prayers said by a non-dastur navar/martab? The proposition was acceptable to 171 and not to 73. Even if no prayers can be offered 130 individuals still said that they would opt for cremation while 106 responded in the negative.

On December 26, 2003, the CZCRCF felicitated Air Marshal Manek B. Madon at the Calcutta Parsee Club. Senior trustee Noomi Mehta presented Madon with a scroll of achievement in appreciation of his varied services. On this occasion they also honored Lt Gen J. S. Verma who related his experiences of army life and his interactions with Madon, according to a press release.