Madras directory

"At present the Zoroastrian population in Madras is around 255,” sums up Zarin Mistry, honorary secretary of the Madras Parsi Association, in their newsletter dated July 2005. According to their estimates there are 330 members (and their families) of the Madras Parsi Zarth-osti Anjuman of whom 274 members (and their families) are residents of Madras. Around 10 Zoroastrians are not members of the Anjuman.

The names, addresses and telephone numbers of the Association members and their family where applicable, are listed in the new directory of the Madras Parsi Association for the year 2005-06. Priced at Rs 50, it was to be made available on July 15, 2005, at the Bahman mah, Aneran roz jashan which marked the salgirah of the Jal Phiroj Clubwala Dar-e-Meher, accor­ding to the Asso­ciation’s July newsletter. The alphabetic listing of names over 34 pages starts with Khush­noor Ahuja and ends with Chi­tash Vummidi. Se­ven pages are devoted to listing the members according to their blood groups and indicating their donor status, three pages of emergency numbers and general information, one page on Parsi institutions in Madras and four pages on the Parsi dharamshalas in India constitute the rest.

"There are many instances where people (especially on transferable jobs) leave the city without informing us. We sometimes send circulars for almost a year before realizing that the member has left the city,” notes Mistry, urging members to let the Association know if they are leaving Madras. In the publication of the directory Mistry acknowledges the assistance of Hemalatha, Finella and Deryl of Epicurean Enterprises.