Congress voices

"Truly a world Congress”

The curtain finally came down on the Eighth World Zoroastrian Congress in the presence of almost 700 Zoroastrians assembled in the beautiful Zartoshty Brothers Hall on Friday, July 1, 2005 at 8.30 p.m. The closing ceremony coincided with the Fasli Tirgan jashan and gahambar which we in London have celebrated for the last 30 years thanks to a generous endowment from the remarkable Zartoshty family. As a result, the closing ceremony was attended by not just the 450 delegates but also by another 250 local Zoroastrians who had not registered for the Congress.

The closing function was quite unique and will remain etched in my mind for a long time. As I sat on the stage next to the great philanthropist Mehraban Zartoshty and his niece Farangis (daughter of Mehraban’s late brother Faridoon) on the one side and our own UK trustees and UK minister Gareth Thomas and the mayor of Harrow Paddy Lyne, a sense of anticlimax gripped me. After almost five years of expectation and about 18 months of planning, this momentous event was suddenly coming to a close. For the last several months, my colleagues and I had literally lived and slept with the Congress on our minds.

The Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) delegation to the Seventh Congress in Houston had bid for this Congress. At about the same time in 2000, we had bought the art deco heritage property in Harrow which was to become the new Zoroastrian Centre. For the last five years, we have worked tirelessly to get the Zartoshty Brothers Hall fully renovated and ready to host the Congress. After sorting out several delicate planning issues, we commissioned our Zoroastrian Centre on March 21, 2005. In a sense, we were now free to concentrate wholly on the Eighth Congress. It can truly be said that Mehraban Zartoshty and his family were our inspiration and support through some very difficult times. Without them, this Centre would not have been possible.

The London Congress will go down in history as the most international of all the eight congresses so far. Nearly 70 percent of the delegates came from countries other than the host country. Normally, the overseas component is between 10 and 20 percent only. In that respect, this was truly a World Congress. It was most gratifying to have a large 87 strong delegation from Iran. Participation from India, a mere 60 delegates, left us a bit disappointed.

We also tried to have a very high standard in terms of content. We welcomed Zoroastrian as well as non-Zoroastrian speakers and our presence in London together with our close connections with academia (such as the School of Oriental and African Studies) helped us to attract what must be regarded as the most distinguished panel of speakers of any of the eight congresses so far.

We also focussed on two subjects that would leave a mark for the future of our community. We devoted one full day to the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce. This was perhaps the most important event for the future growth and prosperity of our community. The award of honorary member to our Zoroastrian icon Karan Bilimoria (Cobra Beer) filled my heart with pride. Bilimoria’s acceptance speech was one of the highlights of the Congress and left an indelible mark on those who were privileged to hear it. It brought a tear to the eyes of Mehraban Zartoshty who could not hide his admiration for this young, outstanding, humble and community-spirited UK industrialist.

The second subject we focussed on was the "Coming Together” and the world body sessions. These discussions were vigorous but remarkably free of rancor. I felt encouraged that despite big differences in approach, there was appreciation of each other’s strongly held beliefs. We need not all agree on everything and we must find a way to take on board the concerns of the many who have expressed so openly and honestly.

This Congress was also meant to be a fun Congress. London’s youngsters did us hugely proud at the Parsee Nite and our Iranian brethren organized a spectacular Persian Nite. The Youth Nite, the Family Nite, the Musical Interludes and Mahabanoo Mody Kotwal’s solo performance of Shirley Valentine were a hoot. Our caterers also rose to the occasion and served delightful fare.

At the end of one week of togetherness, we all felt a real bond with our Zoroastrian brethren from Iran and renewed our strong networking with the North Americans. India is always very close to ZTFE and we regard them as family.

Visiting delegates expressed admiration for ZTFE’s easy and friendly relations with the local government in Harrow, with Westminster and with academia. This is the result of 20 years of ceaseless propagation and public relations and the fruits were visible to all. As a tiny minority we have always had to punch higher than our weight and ZTFE is almost unique in its high profile and its public relations.

What was the highlight of this remarkable week and of the many months of preparation?

Undoubtedly, the arrival in London and the participation of Mehraban Zartoshty and so many members of the Zartoshty family. I have been extremely privileged to work alongside this family in their philanthropic endeavors. ZTFE would not be what it is today and the Zoroastrian Centre would not exist without their generous support. Mehraban epitomizes all that is good and great in the Zarathushti religion. This frail Zoroas­trian, whose indomitable spirit has conquered many an illness, finally was able to come to London after a gap of four years to see for himself the beautiful monument, The Zoroastrian Centre, which will stand forever as a tribute to the Zartoshty brothers’ munificence. We often acknowledge the Zartoshty brothers as the greatest Zoroastrian philanthropists of our time. Yet it must be seen and felt in person — Mehraban’s humility, kindness and generosity of spirit. To be with him for a period of almost two weeks has been an inspiration. An inspiration that I shall cherish forever.

Dorab Mistry was chair of the Eighth World Zoroastrian Congress and has been president of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) since 1997. He is a chartered accountant and specializes in commodity markets. He is a director of Godrej International Limited.

"Its own legacy”

World Zoroastrian congresses are being held since 1960, and over the years they have evolved to become physical, social and academic meeting grounds for Zara­thushtis from across the diasporas. They are a time to meet in a joyous atmosphere, enjoy the camaraderie of our diverse community and celebrate the positive aspects which bind us together. It is a time to put our differences away and discuss our mutual problems amicably to arrive at solutions.

Each congress has a character of its own depending upon the vision, mission and organizational structure of the host community. Each congress leaves behind its own legacy. The Eighth World Zoroastrian Congress organized by the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) had its own character and will be remembered for its own legacy. What the Congress lacked, in numbers, and participatory events from around the world, it made up in the political capital it generated for the community in England. It is to the credit of the organizers, specially the chair Dorab Mistry, that they were able to obtain messages from Queen Elizabeth II, from the Prince of Wales signed Charles and Camilla signifying His Royal Highness’s affection for the Zoroastrian faith, from Prince Edward and from Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Iran had also managed to send a large delegation of over 86 people including the Iranian MP Mobed Koorosh Niknam. He had secured messages from President Seyed Mohammad Khatami and the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Dr Haddad Adel.

Both at the inaugural and closing ceremonies members of the British establishment who were present were able to witness the true meaning of Zarathushti largesse at work, through the munificence and magnanimity of Mobed Mehraban Zartoshty and his late brother Mobed Faridoon Zartoshty as well as a few other major donors. In commending the organizers Mehraban very humbly said, "It is easy to write a cheque, but it is very hard to spend it wisely.” The London community have spent it wisely.

Because of the active participation of ZTFE and in particular Jehangir Sarosh, in the Interfaith network of the UK, Brian Pearce, director of the Inter Faith Network of UK was also present at the inauguration. And because of their involvement in interfaith work, Zoroastrian representatives are always invited on state occasions and consulted on faith and race issues by the Home Office.

At the closing ceremony a large portrait of the Sanjan Stambh was presented on behalf of the Hindu community of the UK to the Eighth World Zoroas­trian Congress by councilor Hemant Padhye, a leader of the Hindu Council of the UK. More political capital created!

To organize a reception at Parliament House Committee Room No 7, another with the director of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), a special viewing and talk at the British Museum of Sassanian coins, silver and the Cyrus Cylinder of Human Rights, by curator Vesta Curtis demonstrated the political and academic connections that ZTFE has been able to develop over the years.

It was also refreshing to read and hear new and young members of the community, with very credible scholarships from SOAS, Oxford, Paris and other reputed universities presenting papers on a wide array of sociocultural topics, e.g. archeological excavation at Sanjan, music in Zoroastrian prayers, Zoroastrian fire temples of the Parsis, youth and Indiacorps, vegetarianism, population decline and its effect on Parsi youth, crisis of the single adult Zoroastrian immigrant, Zoroastrian rural settlements, Zoroastrians of Iran: their society and religion in 2005, yesterday’s youth are not the same as today’s, Zoroastrianism in the context of interfaith movement, feminine attribute in Zoroastrianism. And finally there was an excellent powerpoint presentation by a young adult on Zoroas­trian influence and contributions to mankind, instilling a renewed sense of pride in being a Zoroastrian. Eight major paper presentations in Farsi from delegates from Iran were a big plus for the Congress.

Apart from the paper presentations, the Congress will be remembered for three very important days, one devoted to business achievements of the community and two towards achieving "togetherness, hamazori.” The World Zara­thushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC), has had a phenomenal and exponential takeoff since its inception in 2000 at the 7WZC. Apart from the routine reports which have to be presented at any annual general meeting there were inspirational and motivational talks by Karan Bilimoria, Cyrus Toddywalla MBE, Shernaz Engineer and Edul Davar. They were all showcasing what success each had achieved! One can only marvel at the hard work of our homegrown men and women which has enabled them to achieve this level of phenomenal success in this highly competitive business world.

At this conference the Zarathushti institutions which had not been talking to each other for decades and had shown palpable animosity towards each other were sitting at the same table, for which the current leadership of the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO), ZTFE, Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India (FPZAI) need to be congratulated and one can only hope and pray that now with another player in the ball park, World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ), the dialog will continue and produce results. In spite of concerted efforts and goodwill from all sides, there are still some glitches to be ironed out, confidences to be nurtured, accurate facts disseminated before the world Zarathushti community can commit to a world body.

But the full day "Coming Together” Round Table session on June 28 at the London Congress, organized by Rohin­ton Rivetna, and facilitated by Zareen Karani Araoz and Kaemerz Dotiwala was very productive and well-attended — the highlight of the Congress and will be remembered as a legacy. Every region of the world where Zarathushtis reside plus all the "institutions of humankind” (world-level Zarathushti institutions such as the WZCC, the World Zarathushti Cultural Foundation, mobeds from India, Iran, North America, UK, WAPIZ, and others) all "came together” at this session. Each spoke briefly about major issues/concerns/challenges faced by them and the Zoroastrian world; and offered suggestions and solutions for cooperative projects. Members of the audience (about 200 or so persons) were also given time to briefly voice their suggestions/comments.

A list of over 65 concerns/items/challenges/projects was recorded and projected on the screen in real-time. During the lunch break, these were categorized into five or six major "categories” of challenges/projects. If anything this session amplified the need for a world body which would bring our global community together for discourse and dialog, listen to concerns and challenges, and most importantly, follow up, seek owners, and coordinate cooperative projects to address the challenges. While the first two goals are achievable at a one-day session, one cannot expect a few well-meaning individuals to do the follow up. One can only hope that our current leadership will see the urgency to move forward without further ado, to formalize the world body to take on this task.

The events in London a week after the end of the Congress gives our international community much to reflect upon. Entrenched ideologies inculcated in zealous young people end with tragic results. We see this repeated again and again in the name of religion. Our leadership of all shades must make concerted efforts to avoid this.

In summary this Congress took place in a calm, friendly, relaxed, homely atmosphere of our own "Zoroastrian Centre” which gave participants plenty of time to sleep in, wait around for transportation, come late, eat lots of good Parsi and Irani food and yet come away with a sense that our future is indeed as great as our past. I am personally very happy that I was able to participate in this Congress, and I learnt from it as much as I was able to disseminate.

Dolly Dastoor served as president of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) 1994-98, co-chair of the Seventh World Zoroastrian Congress 2000, and chair of the FEZANA ad hoc committee for the 3,000th anniversary celebrations of Zoroastrian culture. She is a clinical psychologist and assistant professor in psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. She was the founder president of the Alzheimer Society of Montreal.

"A glorious future”

The need for unity and harmony was the defining message of the recently concluded Eighth World Zoroastrian Congress in London. At almost all plenary sessions this was the plea put forward forcefully by the speakers for the resurgence of our miniscule community. If we achieved these goals it was felt that the community could have an even more glorious future.

Though held on a smaller scale than the preceding congress in Houston, the London meet was very well organized. It was heartening to see that the third largest delegation was from Iran, actually far larger than from India. Most of the sessions were held at the sparkling new Zoroastrian Centre. Dorab Mistry and his colleagues were profusely congratulated for their excellent planning and execution. The Centre was made possible as a result of the bountiful donation from the Zartoshty Brothers, after whom the main hall is named. The very presence of Mobed Mehraban Zartoshty throughout the Congress was a source of exhilaration, a man who exemplifies, in his thoughts and acts, the noblest teachings of Zarathushtra.

The formidable presence of our Iranian brothers was most welcome and offered opportunities of knowing firsthand the conditions prevailing in their homeland. The musical evening organized by them was very lively.

Papers were read and discussions held on a wide range of subjects — history, theology, demography, culture, socioeconomic issues, et al. As there were many sessions held in parallel, the attendance at some of the sessions was rather thin. Nevertheless many of the presentations were enlightening and threw new light on the subjects.

The cardinal object of the Congress was to assemble the widely spread global diaspora and to be informed of the milieu in which they lived and functioned. This was achieved in a large measure. Some of the regions, for instance South Africa, where the Zoroastrian population had declined substantially, faced an appalling situation and needed help. There were also frank revelations of the environment in which our brethren in Iran continued to uphold the faith.

Considerable interest was evinced in socioeconomic programs and initiatives undertaken by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet especially in the demographic area. The Fertility Clinic evoked a very favorable response.

The sessions on self-reliance were well attended. The World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) has made rapid strides in the last three years. This activity was applauded. Karan Bilimoria’s presentation of the spectacular success achieved by his Company, Cobra Beer Limited came in for great acclaim. He was conferred honorary membership of the WZCC for the year 2005. Cyrus Toddy­walla, who from scratch has established a number of restaurants serving Indian cuisine, was commended for his enterprise. The contribution of both these gentlemen to entrepreneurial development has been recognized by the UK Government and they have been conferred the titles of OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) and MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) respectively by the Queen. Contributions made by several of our compatriots in the United States came in for recognition, especially in the fields of nuclear science and high technology.

There were admittedly differences on theological matters as also the formation of the world body. The issues were debated in a calm and dignified manner with respective viewpoints given their due play. The consensus that emerged was in favor of a truly representative world body which could effectively represent the viewpoints of our highly dispersed community in international fora as also bring about greater amity and understanding. Admittedly sufficient safeguards will have to be provided in the constitution to ensure that our ethnicity is preserved.

Moderation and tolerance were considered to be the touchstones of Zarathushtra’s teachings. Louis Brown’s observation was quoted, "Ahura Mazda is in essence the spirit of civilization and the only worship accepted to him is the spreading of order and stability. He who sows corn sows religion.” Pope John Paul II’s very apt annotation was also recalled: "When we do not love the brother whom we see, how can we love God whom we do not see?”

The hamazori session was telling in its impact — march forward hand in hand. The underlying message — unite and dispel all bickering to usher in a brighter tomorrow, as time is not on our side.

The next Congress in 2010 will be in Dubai. The 2000 plus Zoroastrians in the Middle East, majority of them in Dubai, are a very vibrant lot full of enthusiasm to forge ahead. They deserve the community’s full support.

All in all it was an invigorating experience.

Minoo Shroff, president of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India and Bombay Parsi Punch­ayet is a respected economist and qualified chartered accountant. He has been on the board of several leading companies and as consultant to leading industrial houses. A recipient of the Government of Japan, Rising Sun award, Shroff is president of the Forum of Free Enterprise and chairs several other social organizations.

"Forging unity”

The world Zoroastrian congresses are looked forward to by many as they provide the participants with an opportunity to not only meet and greet friends, old and new, feast on the expertise of speakers in their respective fields, covering wide ranging issues, but also to sense the state of the Zoroastrian community from a global perspective.

The Zoroastrian Centre at Rayners Lane, London, where most of the sessions were held was indeed an ideal location; the Wembley Conference Centre where concurrent sessions were held over two days was businesslike but bereft of the special warmth, camaraderie and amity that the Zoroastrian Centre exuded. Full marks are due to Dorab Mistry and Team Congress 2005 for the organization, interesting agenda covering topical issues, as also for very deftly showcasing multiple Zoroastrian success stories. What better motivation for the youth than putting before them in person, individuals who have achieved name and fame through qualities of the heart and the head, through sheer dint of hard work.

Undoubtedly, the star of the Congress was none other than the affable and venerable Mehraban Zartoshty. Mehra­ban and his late brother Faridoon, have etched their names in the community hall of fame; philanthropists extraordinaire, both brothers belonging to the very small, elite and illustrious group of people on this planet who derive their life’s pleasure from giving, giving with a smile, creating smiles on the faces of others.

Other Zoroastrian achievers skillfully projected over various sessions were Jimmy Mistry from India, Karan Bilimoria, Farokh Engineer and Cyrus Toddywalla from UK, Xerxes Vania from Canada, Prof Rusi Taleyakhan and Hoshi Mehta (in absentia) from USA. With each of the achievers being worthy of emulation, for the youth present they were an abject lesson of the dizzy heights that can be scaled with grit and determination in the face of insurmountable odds. The World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) day not only showcased the success stories of individuals, but also led to a meaningful and positive dialog between the various chapters. The WZCC has certainly come of age, and acts as a very effective bridge for Zoroastrian entrepreneurs and professionals to interface with one another.

It was a surprise to find that the participants from India were only around 60, in comparison to nearly 100 from Iran, 120 from USA and 150+ from UK. Is there a lesson to be learnt from this, I wonder?

The limitations faced by some from the Iranian delegation in terms of understanding the English language was more than made up by their interpreters who kept them in the loop. Their enthusiasm at being catapulted center stage at the global level was palpable. The information and dissertations about our brethren living in our original motherland was absorbed with mixed feelings — some laced with joy, some tinged otherwise. Our Iranian brethren, indeed a brave group, keep the flame of our faith burning bright.

Whilst Zoroastrians from UK still draw comfort from and look eastwards to India for direction in community matters, those from the North American continent have with typical Zarathushti zeal, pioneering spirit, self confidence and enterprise been brilliantly adapting to the environment in which they live, and at the same time maintaining close rapport with the diaspora spread very thinly over the rest of the world.

One of the most satisfying days at the Congress featured the "Coming Together” or "hamazori” session, the brainchild of Roshan and Rohinton Rivetna. Reports from all parts of the Zoroastrian diaspora, some given in person, some read out, provided a vivid insight into the issues that our brethren contend with in various spheres. Hama­zori binds us Zoroastrians, anywhere and everywhere, hamazori that has withstood the test of time, hamazori that grows stronger with each passing day.

The "World Body” day was interesting; the sense of a majority of those participating, displayed a distinct empathy for the creation of a world body. By no stretch of imagination can one mention that there was unanimity, but by and large, the need for creating a world body was recognized beyond doubt. The opposition to the world body was indeed voiced by a few, but thankfully was devoid of acrimony, which in itself indicates a positive bent of mind and progress. Can there be any doubt in anyone’s mind that the need of the hour is to forge unity and speak globally in one voice? Each one can remain true to the ideology that he/she professes, but in core community building areas such as encouraging and supporting our diminishing youth in the pursuit of education, looking after our growing number of senior citizens through thick and thin, developing a strong cadre of entrepreneurs, creating a vibrant and strong infrastructure for the future well-being of the community, can we not achieve unity in diversity? The answer from most was a resounding ‘yes.’

All in all, attending the Congress was time well spent in making new friends, renewing earlier friendships, understanding and appreciating issues of the head and the heart, some that bind us and some that do otherwise, and returning back rejuvenated with a better and positive understanding of the community from a global perspective, confident that we are a community with a brilliant past, an eminent present and an outstanding future.

The Ninth World Congress scheduled for 2010 was successfully bid for by Dubai. It promises to be an event to look forward to, part of the great continuing Zoroastrian saga that took off from Tehran in 1960 and has over the years wended its way through Bombay (four times between 1972 to 1990), Tehran (1996), Houston (2000) and London (2005). Between now and 2010, many new developments will take place; undoubtedly developments that would have cemented the bond of hamazori between all Zoroastrians and made us even better and stronger than ever before.

Dinshaw K. Tamboly is the chairman of WZO’s Trust Funds in India and spearheads their various community welfare activities. He is also a trustee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet and of several other trusts, educational and medical institutions. Professionally, he provides management and marketing related business consultancy services to various leading organizations with specialization in developing and promoting exports from India to the sophisticated markets on the continents of North America and Europe, and coordinates joint ventures, acquisitions and mergers between companies in India and overseas.