Dialog and divergence

The bonhomie was palpable. As 400 plus delegates met each other in friendly embrace on the opening day June 24, 2005 of the Eighth World Zoroastrian Congress (8WZC) at the Zoroastrian Centre for Europe, there was obvious pleasure in the reunion. For most, that was all the reason they needed for being there. And all the acrimony over the stalled world body could not diminish the joy of being together. They had come from the far corners of the world — Estonia, France, Italy and Switzerland, Canada, USA and Venezuela, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and, of course, the home countries of Iran and India, all converging on the host anjuman of the UK, the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE). As the jubilant ZTFE president Dorab Mistry noted, "unlike earlier congresses where 80-85 percent of the delegates belonged to the home region, London is setting a new trend: 70 percent of those who are here, have come internationally. Only 30 percent are from the UK.”

There was obvious delight at the sight of the refurbished Zoroastrian Centre — an art deco cinema and heritage site which, in the words of chief guest Tony McNulty, Member of Parliament for Harrow West and minister of state for home affairs, immigration and political asylum "had proved quite a problem. There was no more wonderful thing than it to be changed into the Zoroastrian Centre.” The foyer itself, with its plush carpeting, wooden paneling and gilt highlights imbued the visitor with a sense of luxury. The dual purpose Zartoshty Brothers Hall ­­— an auditorium accommodating up to 800 persons, changed at will to provide banqueting facilities — has a stage embellished with pillars and frieze, modeled on the prototype at Per-sepolis. The renovations, carried out by local contractors under the overall supervision of architect and leader of the Iranian community of the UK Shahrokh Shahrokh, had been completed barely three months earlier. In the words of Bombay Parsi Punchayet chairman and president of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India Minoo Shroff, "Do we recognize our own strength and build on it? This Zoroastrian Centre is a symbol of what we can achieve if we put our minds to it…(It) is the very best I’ve seen anywhere in the world.”

Two aging Zarathushtis, both diminutive, both Iranian, towered over the community without ever meaning to: the gentle Mehraban Zartoshty whose philanthropy has enabled the ZTFE to acquire and refurbish these wonderful premises, endowed a lectureship in Zoroas­trianism at the London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), bequeathed the library at the upcoming Pherozeshah Mehta Bhavan at the University of Bombay and refurbished an entire floor of Bombay’s B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital’s Nursing Home wing. He reiterated, on every possible occasion, his plea for community unity. And Prof Farhang Mehr, vice premier, finance minister and chancellor of Shiraz University of Iran in the time of the Shah, his sharp mental faculties undimmed by age, symbolized rationality, erudition and compassion in equal measure, interpreting from English to Farsi and vice versa when occasion demanded it, injecting a timely riposte in the interest of ‘hamazori’ when required.

The first volume of the four-volume set Enduring Legacy, a detailed and heavily illustrated compilation of Parsi achievements in India in the 20th century edited by Dr Nawaz Mody, head of Bombay University’s department of civics and politics, was presented to Zartoshty whose munificence had enabled its publication. Another publication of substance launched at the Congress, in continuation with the tradition begun at the 7WZC, was Prof John Hinnells’ The Zoroastrian Diaspora — Religion and Migration.

The first two and a half days of lectures were aimed at educating the audience on various aspects of their history and religion with four concurrent sessions on the second and third days. The three days devoted to the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC), the "Coming Together” session and the world body discussions marked maximum interaction and, in the case of the world body, a measure of disillusionment. Though not much had been expected on the last score in light of the stridency prevailing in India, the overall desire to create a measure of reconciliation between the proponents and opponents of the world body was not equally endorsed by both sides. Indeed, in the context of the recent happenings in Ahmedabad and in Bombay vis- a- vis the Parsi Press, some personalized ‘advice’ to be conciliatory bordered on a directive towards appeasement. In an uncalled for allusion from the podium Farrokh Mistree, who jointly introduced the world body session, addressed this reporter by name, asking, "Are you listening?” The WZCC meet on the other hand was a happy blend of advice and achievement with many successful businessmen sharing their stories and an interlude with chief guest and former wicket-keeper extraordinary, Farokh Engineer. It also witnessed the presentation of the 2005 Annual WZCC Awards when Prof Rusi Taleyakhan and Xerxes Vania were respectively honored as best professional and best young entrepreneur. The Coming Together session held reports on prevailing conditions, both positive and negative, in various parts of the world as well as community institutions.

The Tirgan gahambar jashan, a film on Dubai presented by Meher Bhesania who bid to host the next congress there, and further honors for the Zartoshty family were the high points of the valedictory evening.

Apart from optional tours to Cambridge University, the Harrow Public School, the British Museum and the British Library, some community leaders had the opportunity to visit the House of Commons and attend a small reception and tea party hosted by SOAS in honor of Zartoshty. The famed British punctuality took a beating as London’s traffic jams delayed the buses meant to transport the delegates from their hotels in Wembley to the Centre at Rayners Lane. Also, the Zarathushtis of Iran continued to feel disadvantaged by their lack of familiarity with the English tongue — a condition that has dogged all Zoroastrian world congresses except the sixth, held in a state of the art conference center in Tehran with instant translations to and from Farsi. Also a source of some disappointment, especially for North American organizers of the Seventh World Zoroastrian Congress (7WZC) at Houston in 2000, was that their innovation of World Zarathushti Community Awards honoring outstanding achievers from around the world and the Daughters of Mashyani honoring outstanding women of the community had not been carried forward at the 8WZC. Another 7WZC-born institution which found no place in London was the Zarathushti Orchestra featuring western music artistes from all over the world performing under the baton of Chicago’s Farobag Cooper which had been very well received in Houston.

Which is not to say that entertainment had been overlooked. Young and not so young members of the community participated in dances, acrobatics and singing. Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal, a star of the Bombay stage, presented her acclaimed solo act — Shirley Valentine. Piano recitals by Meher Toorkey and Firoze Dalal, and solo violinist Farah Rustomji drew wide applause. Sumptuous repasts of Parsi, Irani, Middle Eastern and the quintessentially British fish and chips were washed down with Cobra Beer and General Bilimoria wines, courtesy the community’s high profile brand ambassador in Britain, Karan Bilimoria. And one happy night gutsy restaurateur Cyrus Toddywalla of The Parsee and Cafe Spice Namaste won the hearts of the audience through their stomach!

The inaugural

Having led the benediction along with Ervad Rustom Bhedwar, head priest of the UK community and other international Zoroastrian priests like Mobeds Mehraban Firuzgary and Dr Ardeshir Khor­shi­dian of Iran and Ervad (Dr) Jehan Bagli, president of the North American Mobed Council, Dastur Khurshed Kai­ko­bad Dastoor of Udvada spoke briefly in English: "May we be united in strength and purpose; may there be righteousness, prosperity, happiness; may there be continuous study of the religion of Zarathushtra; may the authority of the righteous person prevail.” Dastoor’s stay at the Congress was cut short when his young daughter fell seriously ill in India.

Lighting a very traditional divo (oil lamp) Zartoshty noted, first in English, then in Farsi, "Ahura Mazda, may this light be with us, ever shining and true.”

Top left: Dorab Mistry addressing the inaugural gathering; Bottom: Meher Bhesania speaking at the valedictory function; Ms Niknam, K. Niknam and Shahrokh Shahrokh

Expressing his "huge pleasure to welcome the 8WZC to Harrow,” McNulty noted that the Centre’s refurbishment had "preserved the best part of this building and adapted it.” Referring to the Zoroastrian faith as "non-partisan,” he recalled the history of Zoroastrian representation in the House of Commons where Dadabhai Naoroji, Muncherjee Bhownaggree and Shapurji Saklatvala had successively been elected on the liberal, conservative and labor/communist ticket. McNulty spoke of the "enormously diverse world” of Harrow where a multitude of different communities live and work. "You work very closely with other communities in the interest of humanity, spirituality and Harrow. Whatever path you choose leads to spirituality and unites us all…If spirituality and guiding faith were not part of politics, we must surely fail. The view that we should reflect is that we are one bounden humanity…” Endorsing his good wishes for the success of the Congress, McNulty invited the delegates to "come back and celebrate the good work at the Zoroastrian Centre and see that Harrow is thriving because of the good work of the Zoroastrian community and others.”

From top left: Homayoun Goushtaspour, Farangiz Zardoshty, Paridokht Zartoshty, Shehnaz Mistry, Mehraban Zartoshty, Parichehr and Farhang Mehr, Dorab Mistry, Minoo Shroff, Firdosh Mehta, Dolly Dastoor, Farrokh Mistree, Rohinton Rivetna and Bomi Boyce

Recounting his delight with the events of 2005 Mistry related how the ZTFE had been able to dispose of its old property at Compaygne Gardens at a very good price just preceding the recent decline in the rates of real estate. The timely liquidity enabled the association to proceed with the refurbishing of the new property at a brisk pace so that events which had earlier been scheduled at the Wembley Conference Centre could be relocated at Zoroastrian House. Publicly thanking the government and foreign minister Jack Straw for expediting visas for the Iranian delegates who made up about a quarter of the delegates present, Mistry noted that the entire royal family was in Scotland that day to attend the graduation of Prince William and hence had regretted the ZTFE invitation.

While Mobed Koorosh Niknam, Zoroastrian member of the Iranian Majlis, read out the message from the president of the Iranian Majlis in Farsi (there was no translation forthcoming), and ZTFE treasurer Paurushasp Jila read the message of welcome from UK prime minister Tony Blair, Congress vice president and ZTFE committee member Rusy Dalal read out messages from the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince Edward who recalled the cordiality of the reception he and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, had experienced three years ago.

From top left: Dr Jehan Bagli, Homi Gandhi, Dinshaw Mehta, Dinshaw Tamboly, Khojeste Mistree, Khorshed Jungalwala, Alayar Debastani, Homai Modi, Nawaz Mody, Malcom Deboo, Pheroza Godrej and John Hinnells

In her capacity as co-chair of the 7WZC, Dolly Dastoor of Montreal expressed her satisfaction that world congresses have been organized "with clockwork regularity,” and looked forward to reviving old bonds and making fresh ones. Hoping to "celebrate the positive aspects that bind us together, discuss amicably to derive solutions” to long-standing problems, Dastoor saw the Congress as "paving the way to a future as great as our past.”

Noting that ebbs and flows beset all communities, Shroff said, "We are resilient enough to surmount them all…Let this be an occasion to meet, reflect, resolve differences, not only for our great future but for our greater future… We are a part of India (and therefore a part of the) diaspora as well. Let us all unite and pull in one direction, propel our community to the very bright future awaiting it.”

The message of greetings from the Zoroastrian communities of the US and Canada as conveyed by the president of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) Firdosh Mehta was akin to "North American diplomacy — short, direct and tells you what to do!” joked Mistry.

Placing her "small tribute and labor of love” in Zartoshty’s hands, Prof Nawaz Mody told the gathering that the study dealing with the Parsis of the 20th century with 66 well researched articles and over 1,000 illustrations would not have seen the light of day without the grand old patriarch’s help. Though the ensuing three volumes are yet to be published, Mody said she had seized the occasion to present the first volume to Zartoshty, dealing as it did with the community’s presence in the political field graced by a portrait of Dadabhai Naoroji on the cover. Zartoshty thanked the "two twins,” Homai Modi who purveys his charities in India and Nawaz Mody, saying, "I cannot describe how efficient, how hardworking they have been,” referring to the Pherozeshah Mehta Bhavan being erected in the Bombay University complex at Kalina. "There were so many difficulties, but they stood strong and finally succeeded.”

Acknowledging the physically challenged Hinnells’ presence at the function, Mistry spoke of his largely complimentary work on the Zoroastrians, adding, "Erudition, philanthropy and power is a heady cocktail!” Responded Hinnells with a laugh, "If you are suffering from insomnia, this is your cure!”

Acknowledging the flowers she received from the ZTFE, Pheroza Godrej, co-editor of A Zoroastrian Tapestry with Firoza Punthakey Mistree, presented a copy of her book — "10 years in the making, a tough baby to deliver” — to McNulty, and registered her thanks for all the "help from a lot of people” prominent among them being Prof Mary Boyce whose guidance and mentoring had been indispensable. Noting that the book had opened a view of "what we are all about” to other communities, Godrej also spoke of the need to "bind ourselves together, rise above petty ideas and self-interest.”

Impressed with the work being done by Dr Homi Dhalla’s World Zarathushti Cultural Foundation Tahamptan Aresh, president of the Traditional Mazdayasni Zoroastrian Anjuman in California donated $ 10,000 to the Foundation.

A number of persons were honored by the ZTFE with mementoes and flowers, among them architect and property developer Jimmy Mistry of Bombay who renovated the Rustom Framna Agiary at Dadar at his own cost. According to Dorab Mistry, the young architect had found his inspiration in Zartoshty who has maintained the Atash Behram at Yazd all these years.

Valedictory

The evening of July 1, 2005 marked the end of the eight-day jamboree with a Tirgan gahambar jashan led by Bhed­war.The program included the presentation of two awards. The Philanthropist of the Century award to Mehraban and the late Faridoon Zartoshty was received by the former in person accompanied by his niece Farangiz. Dorab Mistry traced the 40-year-long association of the Zartoshtys with ZTFE, their endowment at SOAS and the encouragement to buy this building which has become the new Zoroastrian Centre in London. "Fari­doon died two months later (after the Centre was purchased) but even when he was ill, he gave his benediction.” Mistry recalled a story he had heard from Fali Poncha of Bombay when Faridoon had visited the latter’s office, cheque book in hand, moved to tears by the plight of the patients in the Parsi ward at the J. J. Hospital. All he wanted to know from Poncha, who was then associated with a group of persons looking after the destitute patients, was "How much money do you need to renovate the ward?” Said Mistry, "We thank Ahura Mazda that the Zartoshty brothers have been our patrons all these years.” The award was presented to Mehraban and Farangiz by a group of mobeds led by Bhedwar and included representatives from Iran (Abadian and Firuzgary), North America (Bagli) and India (Ramiyar Karanjia).

Homai Modi, who has been dispersing Zartoshty’s charities in India and attended the 8WZC at his invitation, noted that in addition to all that has already been known of his philanthropy, it was 1.5 crore rupees donated by him to the Red Cross that saved the Bel Air Hospital in Panchgani which had been on the verge of closure. She triumphantly announced that the institution is now acknowledged as a leader in the education of nursing staff in the care of HIV-AIDS. Presenting him with a lamp made by a fellow Zarathushti "because there is no better gift for a man who has spread so much light and love in Zarathushti homes,” Modi concluded with the recital of the well known poem Abu Ben Adam whose name heads the angel’s list because he loved his fellow men.

In a response moving in its humility, Zartoshty thanked Ahura Mazda for granting him the ability to travel from the US and Canada "to see all my friends, to see and fulfill my duty towards those who have devoted energy day and night to build such a beautiful hall. It is easy to give money, very hard to use it in a proper way. I really appreciate it.” He recalled his beloved brother — "his soul is here” — and thanked his wife and children as well as his nieces who "help me carry out my duty.” He had a special word of appreciation for Congress vice chair Shahrokh "who with his talent and devotion put the replicas of Persepolis here and at the Setayesh Gah.” As for Dorab Mistry, Zartoshty noted, "I am speechless to say what a wonderful man he is” and went on to detail Mistry’s sincerity, foresightedness, honesty and energy and the helpfulness of Mistry’s wife Shehnaz and their three children. But Zartoshty’s most important message was for the community: "Don’t forget unity, honesty, integrity, charity… We are a small community. We have everything possible — we are well educated, well maintained. All we need is unity.”

The Entrepreneur of the Century award was presented to Ratan Tata whose "risk taking and entrepreneurial success” were lauded by Mistry. Shroff, who said he had begun his professional life in the Tata conglomerate, stated the group was "a shining example of what India can do in industry, science and technology:” providing Bombay with cheap and dependable power supply, the development of India’s nuclear advantage thanks to basic science research inculcated at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and Tata Steel, which began long before India’s five year plans. Though in the 1970-1980s the Tatas were "perceived as stodgy and slow moving,” Shroff said, "once Ratan Tata got (the reins of) corporate governance, he thrust for the sunrise industries.” Shroff pointed to Tata Consultancy Services as "not only a symbol of industrial progress but as the symbol of Indian nationalism.”

Receiving the award on Ratan Tata’s behalf at the hands of Zartoshty, whom Mistry described as "one of the most successful businessmen of Iran,” Kamal Hasan, Tata director in London, noted, "It is my very pleasant duty to go round the world collecting his awards.” In his message of thanks read by Hasan, Tata accepted the award "with humility on behalf of my staff and colleagues whose dedication and devotion have made the Tata Group what it is today” and noted that the achievements of the "Tata Group were built on foundations laid by Jamsetji Tata and the values and business ethics of J. R .D. Tata.”

Minister for international development Gareth Thomas, the MP for Harrow East and the evening’s chief guest described the building as one "recently an eye sore, now restored.” Referring to the long break between the Zoroastrian presence in the British Parliament and the Congress which "we are delighted to host,” Thomas told the assembled delegates, "Your presence marks the coming back to life of the Zoroastrian community in UK.” Commenting on the "remarkable architecture that has gone into this hall,” the spunky lady mayor of Harrow, who had heard comments on the declining population of Zoroastrians, noted, "Quantity is not everything. It’s quality. I would have liked to meet each delegate in person but there’s only one of me!”

Navin Shah, the popular Leader of the Council of the London Borough of Harrow whom Mistry credited as being of great help to the ZTFE in getting their plans approved by the local authorities, had been present even at the start of the Congress. Counting Parsi families from all over the world as close friends, Shah said he was "equally proud” of Zoro­as­trian community spirit and character and described the refurbished Centre as a "valuable heritage addition on behalf of the people of Harrow.”And Hemantbhai Padhya, president of the Hindu Swatan­tryavir Smruti Sanstha­nam, presented the ZTFE with a framed picture of the Sanjan Stambh.

In response to emcee Natasha Dalal’s invitation asking people for their impressions of the Congress, several delegates had something to say. The erudite and generous Farhang Mehr summed it all. Recalling Cyrus the Great as the author of human rights and Darius the Great as one who institutionalized justice, Mehr contrasted the 8WZC with its representation from a dozen countries to the first Congress held in Tehran in 1960 when only India, Pakistan, England and Iran had been represented. "The Zoro­astrian spirit and spirituality survives. Those who are pessimistic are mistaken. We are progressing…Our glorious history will be revived. I am sure of that.” Mehr complimented Mistry, Dalal and the entire team of the ZTFE on the organizing of the Congress: "Those involved know how much energy goes into it.” He was also categorical: "There is no distinction between Parsis and Zarathush­tis…We are an extended family. We must support and help each other…This inheritance, this culture we must preserve. The goodwill, truthfulness, charity, we can’t let them go waste…

"What is the purpose of this gathering? What is the use of this gathering? We know more about each other, we can find solutions to problems, know more about our heritage and shared hopes. I learnt a great deal for which I am grateful to the organizers. I have learnt more than I could contribute. They have put in energy, wisdom, money to help us live with pride.”