Spiritual guide

Died: Dastur Noshirwan Manchershaw Dastur, 75, High Priest of the Surat anjuman for the last 45 years and president of the Athornan Mandal of Surat, on March 18, 2004 in Surat following kidney complications.

For 45 years his religious leadership to the community in and around Surat had earned him respect from all, noted a condolence resolution in Gujarati passed at the meeting convened by the Surat Athornan Mandal in collaboration with different religious and cultural organizations on April 10, 2004 at the Kadmi Atash Behram. Commended for his serious, silent study of the religion, mastery of prayers and ceremonies, his loss will be felt for years, added the resolution. For 25 years Dastur had served as president of the Mandal. Having imbibed the tenets of the faith, as High Priest of the Modi Atash Behram and the Surat Anjuman he gave religious guidance to the laity, added the resolution.

The fact that his after-death ceremonies were attended by a large number of Zoroastrians and non-Zoroastrians from Surat and the neighboring towns who had come to pay their last respects shows the popularity of the High Priest, it was pointed out at the condolence meeting.

Mirza: deep knowledge

Following the condolence messages sent by Dastur Meherji Meherjirana and Darayas Master, president of the Surat Parsi Panchayat, representatives of the Nanpura, Bardoli and Gopipura Anju­mans paid their tributes. Presiding over the function to record Dastur’s indelible impression on the community was trustee of the Modi Atash Behram, Zavareh Wadia. Not only in Surat but in the neighboring regions like Bardoli too Dastur had discharged his religious duties. Gracing the Bardoli Anjuman functions on innumerable occasions the Bardoli Anjuman trustees would consult him on matters concerning the fire-temple, scarcity of vultures, etc, mentions a letter from trustee Pervez Mehta. His replies based on sound religious principles ensured that the community remained united, added Mehta.

Referring to him as a "noble and pure Zoroastrian” Rohinton Karanjawala of Ahmedabad mentioned how the fire-temples in Surat and the surrounding villages benefited from his spiritual guidance. The trustees of Ahmedabad’s Kankaria Adarian invariably turned to Dastur for his advice when faced with problems, added Karanjawala.

On behalf of the Pragati Mandal, the Mevawala Trust, Lions Club and other organizations too, Dastur’s dedication to his duties was commended. On matters concerning the Zoroastrian religion, culture and traditions he was a guide and leader to his coreligionists, recalled Rusi Besania of Surat referring to his concurrent responsibilities as panthaky for 45 years of the Baug-e-Parsa Adarian in Surat. When this fire-temple completed its centenary in 1996 despite his ill health Dastur played a prominent role in the repairs of the agiary, publication of the commemorative souvenir, celebrations and functions. The High Priest was specially felicitated with a shawl, flowers and sandalwood casket on the centenary occasion. The reputation of this institution is due largely to Dastur officiating as panthaky, added Besania. The ceremonies performed by him with devotion and dedication invariably brought contentment and happiness to the laity, remarked Besania.

Conservative in his thinking he was inclined to concur with the views of the senior high priests when the clergy’s opinion was sought on controversial subjects confronting the community.

On the demise of his father Mancher­shaw in 1959, Noshirwan was draped with a shawl by Davar Tehmuras Modi to signify his appointment as high priest of the Surat anjuman and of the Shahenshahi Modi Atash Behram. He continued to retain the panthak of Baug-e-Parsa Adarian in Surat which he had inherited from his father, notes a life sketch. Surat born Noshirwan had studied at The M. F. Cama Athornan Institute in Bombay. Thereafter he completed his BA from Bombay before returning to Surat to practise mobedi with his father.

A member of the Lions Club of Surat, he felt duty bound to help the poor and needy Parsis. He was on the religious advisory committee of the Zoroastrian College in Sanjan. At different functions convened by the Surat Municipal Corporation it was invariably Dastur who was invited to represent the Zoroastrian community.

The dedicated Dastur is survived by his wife Kety, son Dastur Cyrus and daughters Nilofer and Jasmine.

P. M. G.