Editorial Viewpoint
Lords of the realm
Business people are largely viewed as creatures of commerce with little or no intellectual interests. Thus it is always a welcome surprise to find those who indulge in cerebral activities outside of their mercantile pursuits.
In his biography of Jamsetji Tata, author Russi Lala mentioned that among the books Tata added to his library were all tomes pertaining to Zoroastrianism and the community. How many people, even the well-off, maintain a library today, leave aside purchase books on the community? And in today’s highly pressured business environment how many have the time to even read a book, leave aside newspapers and magazines? For that matter how many Zoroastrian colonies or anjumans/associations have libraries? And of those that do, how well are they frequented?
Hotelier and businessman Byram Avari spent a considerable amount on money to procure Dastur (Dr) Maneck Dhalla’s literary collection which is now housed in a library at the Avari Colony in Karachi. Avari was keen that Dhalla’s legacy not be lost.
Mehraban and Faridoon Zartoshty donated monies to the K. R. Cama Oriental Institute to reprint books on Zoroastrianism that were no longer available on sale. Billionaire Pallon Mistry has sponsored several issues of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce journal Synergy. Businessman Capt Percy Master bought a house in Udvada next to the Iranshah Atash Behram in order to preserve the heritage structure and maintain the sanctity of the area. Industrialist Nadir Godrej writes poetry when he has the chance and puts into verse many of his public talks. Cyrus Guzder of AFL, a leading global logistics company, devotes considerable time to preserving heritage structures and environment in and around Bombay. His father, businessman and industrialist Jamshed, is chairman emeritus of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP).
The top Karachi families have been involved with the Anjuman. The Cowasjees, including the vitriolic columnist Ardesher Cowasjee, served on the board. In Nagpur, the Bapuna family, the wealthiest Zoroastrian family in the city has been and is at the helm of the Anjuman. In Delhi, a retired Indian Civil Service officer, a serving Border Security Force chief, and a retired lieutenant general have occupied the top post.
The late industrialist Neville Wadia took a keen interest in the community. In an interview with Parsiana (June-July 1974) when asked if he would stand for trusteeship of the BPP he replied, “If I was eligible, I think I might. Yes, why not?” (At that time Wadia was a Christian. He converted to Zoroastrianism many years later.) Naoroji Godrej, despite his considerable industrial responsibilities, stood for election to the BPP and won. But he soon became disillusioned and resigned.
Today the community’s top industrialists shy away from contesting the BPP elections. They want to avoid what they view as the muddied waters of community politics. Thus it was refreshing to hear Lord Karan Bilimoria of Chelsea speak on his community moorings at a public function hosted by the BPP on September 26, 2007 to honor him.
Bilimoria has the unique distinction of being the first Zoroastrian to be appointed to the House of Lords in Britain. His business acumen, his efforts to foster trade ties between Great Britain and India, his lecturing at prestigious colleges on entrepre-neurship and related subjects, earned him the accolades he undoubtedly deserved.
But what struck one was that when he was to assume his new title, to draw inspiration he studied the speeches of Dadabhai Naoroji, the first Asian to hold a seat in the British Parliament. And at the investiture ceremony he took the oath of office on the Khordeh Avesta which he then donated to the Lords’ collection with the hope that there “will be more Parsis after me” appointed to this august house.
Industrialist Ratan Tata also shied away from community functions in his early years.<s
In his biography of Jamsetji Tata, author Russi Lala mentioned that among the books Tata added to his library were all tomes pertaining to Zoroastrianism and the community. How many people, even the well-off, maintain a library today, leave aside purchase books on the community? And in today’s highly pressured business environment how many have the time to even read a book, leave aside newspapers and magazines? For that matter how many Zoroastrian colonies or anjumans/associations have libraries? And of those that do, how well are they frequented?
Hotelier and businessman Byram Avari spent a considerable amount on money to procure Dastur (Dr) Maneck Dhalla’s literary collection which is now housed in a library at the Avari Colony in Karachi. Avari was keen that Dhalla’s legacy not be lost.
Mehraban and Faridoon Zartoshty donated monies to the K. R. Cama Oriental Institute to reprint books on Zoroastrianism that were no longer available on sale. Billionaire Pallon Mistry has sponsored several issues of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce journal Synergy. Businessman Capt Percy Master bought a house in Udvada next to the Iranshah Atash Behram in order to preserve the heritage structure and maintain the sanctity of the area. Industrialist Nadir Godrej writes poetry when he has the chance and puts into verse many of his public talks. Cyrus Guzder of AFL, a leading global logistics company, devotes considerable time to preserving heritage structures and environment in and around Bombay. His father, businessman and industrialist Jamshed, is chairman emeritus of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP).
The top Karachi families have been involved with the Anjuman. The Cowasjees, including the vitriolic columnist Ardesher Cowasjee, served on the board. In Nagpur, the Bapuna family, the wealthiest Zoroastrian family in the city has been and is at the helm of the Anjuman. In Delhi, a retired Indian Civil Service officer, a serving Border Security Force chief, and a retired lieutenant general have occupied the top post.
The late industrialist Neville Wadia took a keen interest in the community. In an interview with Parsiana (June-July 1974) when asked if he would stand for trusteeship of the BPP he replied, “If I was eligible, I think I might. Yes, why not?” (At that time Wadia was a Christian. He converted to Zoroastrianism many years later.) Naoroji Godrej, despite his considerable industrial responsibilities, stood for election to the BPP and won. But he soon became disillusioned and resigned.
Today the community’s top industrialists shy away from contesting the BPP elections. They want to avoid what they view as the muddied waters of community politics. Thus it was refreshing to hear Lord Karan Bilimoria of Chelsea speak on his community moorings at a public function hosted by the BPP on September 26, 2007 to honor him.
Bilimoria has the unique distinction of being the first Zoroastrian to be appointed to the House of Lords in Britain. His business acumen, his efforts to foster trade ties between Great Britain and India, his lecturing at prestigious colleges on entrepre-neurship and related subjects, earned him the accolades he undoubtedly deserved.
But what struck one was that when he was to assume his new title, to draw inspiration he studied the speeches of Dadabhai Naoroji, the first Asian to hold a seat in the British Parliament. And at the investiture ceremony he took the oath of office on the Khordeh Avesta which he then donated to the Lords’ collection with the hope that there “will be more Parsis after me” appointed to this august house.
Industrialist Ratan Tata also shied away from community functions in his early years.<s
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From the archive