Sixth refresher course

Some years ago when former students of The M. F. Cama Athornan Institute in Andheri thought of starting a training program for navars and maratabs, their plans were viewed with skepticism.

Undeterred, the Institute’s Ex-Students’ Association took up the challenge and the sixth such refresher course was successfully conducted from May 13 to 25, 2007 for ostas and ervads ranging in age from eight to 71 years, as per a write-up sent to Parsiana by the Association.

The main aim of these courses is to teach priests how to perform those Zoroastrian ceremonies and rituals that over 90 percent of children becoming navars are not taught, their training being limited to the jashan, farokshi and stum ceremonies required during the muktad days. Many priests, especially those living abroad, are required to not only perform such ceremonies but to explain their significance as well. At such times, untrained mobeds cut a sorry figure. Madressas are also not inclined to coach these adhura (not fully trained) mobeds since the task involves considerable time, planning, effort and financial support.

Thanks to the generosity of trustees of the Cama Athornan Institute, especially Mancherji Cama and Ratan Lalkaka who permit use of the Institute’s premises, including dormitory facility for the two-week residential programs, the former students have, over the years, been able to train participants from as far away as Melbourne, Toronto and San Francisco in addition to those from Bombay, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Surat, Navsari, Vapi, Nargol and Zaroli. The participants are taught not just daily prayers, tarikats and ceremonies, but explained the logic, method, modalities and intricacies of the navjote, lagan, four-day post-death rites as also baaj, boi, nirangdin and other ceremonies, reveals the write-up.

Chief guest at the inaugural ceremony, newly appointed member of the National Commission for Minorities Dr Mehroo D. Bengalee praised the organizers for conducting these refresher programs, saying it was the best way to empower our priests. Guest of honor Jimmy Mistry of the Parsi Resource Group felt that mobeds should be well trained for community service. A knowledgeable speech on "Consecrated Fire Temple” was made by keynote speaker Dastur (Dr) Peshotan Mirza of Udvada.

During the two-week course participants also get an opportunity to widen their understanding of Zoroastrian history, religion and culture through lectures and interaction with a galaxy of learned high priests, scholars, academicians and other experts who voluntarily support this cause. This year Dastur Meherji Meherjirana of Navsari and Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal of Bombay, Ervads Parvez Bajan, Asphandiyar Dadachanji, Khushru Panthaki, Parvez Mithaiwala, Keki Ravji, Cyrus Darbari, Cyrus Dastoor, as also religious scholars like Dr Homi Dhalla, Khojeste Mistree, Noshir Dadrawala, Meher Master-Moos and Rustom Chothia addressed participants and answered queries on various socioreligious issues. Films and slide shows were arranged for a clear understanding of the topics. Participants took keen interest in learning how to perform various ceremonies as well as participating in pugree tying, bhakhra, darun, malido and papdi making competitions.

Meherjirana was the chief guest for the valedictory function where his wife Meherbanoo distributed the prizes and participation certificates. Meherjirana advised the young participants to lead the community to a glorious future.

Many donors, prominent among them being Jamshed Guzder, Ervad (Dr) Soli Dastoor of USA, Shahrukh Kathawalla, Rohinton Mehta, Silloo Mahava and Soonnoo Andhyarujina, are instrumental in financing this program year after year. The participating priests are not charged a single paisa. In fact Guzder presents each participant with a cash award of Rs 1,000 every year!

In his vote of thanks Ervad Pirojshah Sidhwa, one of the coordinators of the program, thanked the donors, trustees and managing committee members of The M. F. Cama Athornan Institute and the Parsi Press. He acknowledged that the most important contribution is of the parents of the participants without whose cooperation this program would not have been a grand success. This wonderful service to mobeds is the result of unstinted efforts of a few dedicated members of the Institute’s Ex-Students’ Association like Ervads Cyrus Dastoor, Homie Gowadia, Sidhwa, Keki Panthaky and Mahiyar Panthaky under the able guidance of its president Ervad Burjor Antia, vice president Ervad Farrokh Gowadia as well as Mirza.