The independents' day

With 33 candidates in the fray for the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trusteeship elections Parsiana has pieced together an introduction to 17 independent candidates from newsletters, advertisements, e-mails, printed material, etc. Going by their first names, they are presented in an alphabetical order, the same way in which the Punchayet sent us the list of those candidates who had filed their nominations before the deadline of September 2, 2008. Write-ups on the Adult Franchise for Progress (AFP) and the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ) panels have appeared in the August 21, 2008 issue while one on interior designer and developer Jimmy Mistry of the Parsi Resource Group (PRG) appears in this issue. The new AFP member Muncherji Cama is also referred to in this issue in our coverage of their campaign meets. The write-up on Dinshaw Mehta’s campaign will appear in the next issue of Parsiana. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is September 18, 2008.

Arnavaz Jal Mistry has for the last 22 years been rendering service to institutions such as the Sir J. J. Parsee Ward, the F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, Young Rathestars, the Dinbai Pattuck Trust, the Don Bosco Shelter, the Ackworth Leprosy Home, the Stree Zarthosti Mandal (RTI), the Kamla Mehta Blind School, Doongerwadi, the Jai Vakeel School. She is a trustee of the Jal Minocher Mistry Memorial Foundation, P. E. Polson Trust and J. N. Petit Library, Dadar. She promises "to uphold the age-old traditions of Zoroastrianism especially where dakhmenashini is concerned …and would work for transparent and fair allotment of residence to the members of the community.”

"To this upright lady, social work is a way of life and a medium to put true compassion to good use. She is a strong-willed person, possessing excellent qualities such as hard work, honesty, and deep concern for the betterment of the community,” attest her supporters Behram Palkhivala, Dr Rustom Soona­wala, Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy and Farrokh Kavarana, adding, "She is courageous and takes impartial decisions in all the administrative matters that she has handled so far… More importantly she possesses intellectual honesty with which she assimilates, understands and decides every issue without fear or favor, not allowing external forces to influence her decisions.”

Cyrus Aspi Patel, a tax consultant, is a government registered sales tax practitioner and a charity commissioner statutory auditor who "thinks positive, is one among you, is always available for you. If given an opportunity will do his duties faithfully.”

Dinshaw Mehta addressing crowd at Panthaky Baug

Danesh Kaikhushroo Nejadkay, well known in the community for the "excellent quality” and "friendly service” of his Paris Bakery, proposes to provide the same "quality in my truthful service to the community to whom I will always be approachable and available whenever they need my help.” He has been "involved personally with the repairing and cleaning of several dakhmas and agiaries all over the country…He is known to silently help the needy within and outside our community without publicity,” lauds Ratoo Dara Dastur who has proposed his candidature. An active member of the Nationalist Congress Party of Sharad Pawar he is presently vice president of the Mumbadevi taluka.

Stressing on unity, he comments that trustees should be "honest, compassionate, humble and also approachable to the common man and not only to the elite. Also they must be willing to uphold our age old religion, traditions, beliefs and customs for which our ancestors left Iran and settled in India.” Decisions on issues like dakhmenashini, intermarriage, etc should be taken only after consulting the high priests and mobeds. "My focus…will be on our youth who are the future of our community. They should be encouraged to marry within the fold and couples waiting to be married should be given utmost priority while allotting flats…Existing policy of thrusting leave and license agreements on legal heirs of a deceased tenant should be scrapped…Incentives such as a bigger accommodation should be offered to married couples to encourage them to have more children… Enterprising Zoroastrian youth should be offered financial assistance with soft interest rates…”

Darayus Behram Kabraji, the successful entrepreneur who runs Penguin Holidays Private Limited that offers services for parties, transport, picnics, adventure camps, educational tours, college industrial visits, conferences and catering is best recognized by his eye-catching vehicles — Royal Vintage Carriage and The Oriental Express.

"As a youth with undying enthusiasm within and courage of conviction without,” Kabraji’s entire focus is on the youth and the need to rekindle in them the spirit of entrepreneurship by setting up professionally managed vocational and career guidance centers with counseling, training and finance through educational loans on offer. Another cause dear to his heart is the welfare of the aged and the widows. He would also like to introduce 24-hour medical centers at all baugs and colonies providing free/subsidized medical facilities.

Dinshaw Rusi Mehta is seeking reelection as a trustee believing, "I have fulfilled my role with honesty, integrity and diligence, always keeping the interests of the community in the forefront…Not only have I attended almost every meeting of the board of trustees and its various committees and subcommittees, I also devote at least four to five hours every single working day to the affairs of the Punchayet and on meeting the poor and the needy of the community. I regularly visit each and every baug in Bombay… The capital of the BPP has increased from Rs 16 crores when I became a trustee to over Rs 120 crores today.”

An engineer by qualification, he has used his "experience of more than 35 years in the field of construction and repairs of buildings in Bombay in addressing the maintenance, repairs and other housing problems of the BPP…In addition to being contactable 24/7, I ensure that I am available to any Parsi with any problem be it in the domain of housing, education, medical needs, subsidy in rent or licence fees, doles, repairs to our innumerable old properties, settlement of suits, water problems and various other needs…and assist him or her in whatever way I can without compromising the basic tenets of the BPP.”

Scion of the late Rusi Mehta, one of the longest serving municipal corporators of Bombay, Mehta notes, "In spite of a real, physical threat, I took an active role in the removal of all the kharwas who had encroached on over 8,000 sq ft of Doongerwadi and Ambawadi properties and thereafter redeveloped the same for housing khandhias and Doongerwadi staff. Through innumerable personal hearings at the office of the collector of Bombay, I finally succeeded in obtaining land revenue exemption for all the Punchayet properties, pending since 1987, thus saving lakhs of rupees for the BPP. I continue to coordinate with the municipal department and other authorities for all the problems faced by our properties. I have ensured reduction in the rateable value of various Punchayet properties thereby saving lakhs of rupees in property tax, benefiting both the residents and the BPP. I personally appeared before the Revenue and Forest Appellate Authority and obtained relief from levy of over five lakh rupees for excavation at Panthaky Baug. Along with ex-trustee Rustom Tirandaz I prevented the handover of the internal road in Panthaky Baug to the Bombay Municipal Corporation. This would have divided the baug to the detriment of the safety and security of its residents. We successfully prevented a similar handover at Dhunbaiwadi…”

Farrokh Pheroze Munsiff "does not give false promises of help but has gone out and helped people in their hour of need.”

Ervad Framroze Sohrabji Mirza has been practicing mobedi for the last 41 years, working at the age of 14 as a full-time mobed at the H. B. Wadia Atas Bahram and the Doongerwadi. For daring to perform the four-day prayers for the cremated deceased he has been ostracized and debarred from practicing mobedi in religious institutions, the logic for which he finds difficult to comprehend considering that prayers after the fifth day can be performed by any priest at any fire temple. His clerical job of 14 years at the BPP too was terminated allegedly because he prayed for those cremated. "According to me disposal is not important, but prayers are important for the departed soul,” he believes. He noticed the failure of the dakhmenashini system in the course of his duties as senior supervisor at the Doongerwadi when he had to inspect the dakhmas as also the entire property. Instead of resorting to mass burial every seven-eight months due to non-functional dakhmas, he recommends the property be used to bury the individual dead bodies in a dignified way.

"I am the only contestant in this election who is well acquainted with the working of almost every department of BPP…Much money of the community is wasted (on litigation)…It’s better to provide work rather than financial help to physically healthy persons…Today medical treatment has become prohibitively costly…It will be worthwhile for the community to pull all the resources of various funds which are not being utilized…for providing medical treatment to the needy…The Parsi Punchayet should ensure that each and every child…should get the best of education in the field of his or her choice…”

Whilst categorically stating that he is against conversion he feels that "it is not correct to castigate Parsi girls marrying outside the community and deny their progeny (entry) into Zoroastrianism if they choose to.” He has thus been assisting the Association of Inter-Married Zoroastrians as also the Disposal of the Dead with Dignity — Action Group.

Dr Kuresh Behram Zorabi is an eye surgeon operating from the Colaba Eye Clinic and attached to the B. D Petit Parsee General Hospital, Breach Candy Hospital, Noor Hospital as an honorary consultant. Besides conducting numerous free medical camps he has performed social service being associated with NGOs such as AGNI, and being a committee member of the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman. "Since I am also the secretary to the Nationalist Congress Party this would give me a platform and an edge over the others to raise our voice before the Government on many issues pertaining to our community.

"I am the person instrumental in getting the 47 fire temples the heritage status which was pending for more than three-four years before the Government of Maharashtra and the Bombay Municipal Corporation…with the help of Jayant Patil, finance and planning minister, Government of Maharashtra and guardian minister of Mumbai.” Among the issues he wants to address are transparency and accountability in the BPP, a fair and just housing policy to benefit the poor and middle-class Zoroastrians, set up free medical centers and free day and night ambulance service, give educational grants/loans for small-scale business set-ups, employment to the youth and financial assistance to the needy, make reservations of medical, engineering, pharmacy and postgraduate seats for Zoroastrian students in Parsi institutions, adopt a fresh approach to the dakhmenashini issue, start a vulture breeding project, uplift mobeds and to make mobeds available round the clock at Doongerwadi, end futile litigations with tenants in court, periodic meetings with fellow Zoroastrians to hear them and answer their queries. His motto: "Working towards your better future.”

Phiroze Cawasji Amroliwalla, since his retirement from business, has been devoting time to social work. "After over 15 years I have once again filed my nomination as a candidate for trusteeship (for universal adult franchise) was one of the election promises I had made in 1993 and I followed it up by intervening at every stage in law courts, and even managed to …(get) an amendment approved in the court, lowering the voting age to 18 years against 21 years proposed in the election scheme.” He has served on the MTNL Telephone Advisory Committee, MTNL Adalat, the Western and Central Railway Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee, Maharashtra State Consumer Protection Council, the Indian Merchants’ Chamber besides many others. He has been associated with the BPP too, earlier serving on their Vigilance Committee and currently as an active member of the Housing Advisory Committee and its subcommittee.

He would like to create a "new housing stock of reasonably decent sized flats within the city so that the truly poor and needy do not have to commute long distances from far-flung suburbs.” Besides housing, community health and welfare, education, protecting and preserving our heritage and other properties including Doongerwadi lands possibly require far more attention. An entirely new board should bring in the much needed credibility and thereby restore donor confidence. Sixty-six-year-old Amroliwalla whose candidature has been proposed by cardiologist Dr Kekobad Mody and seconded by thespian Dinyar Contractor promises that every visitor to the BPP "will be received with respect, dignity and grace.”

Rustom Sheriar Tirandaz was former municipal corporator for 17 years during which time he had served as leader of the opposition, chairman of the Public Health Committee, member of the Standing Committee, Improvements Committee, Grants in Aid Committee, Ackworth Leprosy Home, V.J.T.I. College… During the 1993 communal riots he was instrumental in rescuing 1,500 Muslims of Sewree and Antop Hill. A science graduate he is the chairman and managing director of Vacations Private Limited, director of Fredun Pharmaceuticals Limited and Zoroastrian Investment Corporation Private Limited, and CEO of Croesus Finance Company Limited. Among the social institutions with which he is associated are the Indo Brazilian Society where he is founder secretary, the Ethics Committee of the Ramnarain Ruia College, president of the Wadala Ganapati Utsav Trust, Wadala Navratri Utsav Mandal, secretary of the Youths Own Social League.

With 40 years of public service, and already one term as trustee of the BPP, Tirandaz is "always available, easily approachable, forever helpful…” His first priority as BPP trustee would be to issue a mission statement to restore the sagging image of the community. To empower the average middle class youth he thinks it "imperative to lay the ground for the acquisition of non-academic skills such as personality development, public speaking, marketing and salesmanship, interpersonal behavioral skills, time management, neuro linguistic programing, etc through intensive programs… A brand new housing policy is the need of the hour…However this system of giving homes is sapping the resource potential of our community youth who need to be initiated into housing beyond the BPP and explore ownership flats in the market place. We should also explore the venture capital route for those who seek to furrow their fields independently.”

Dr Syrus Darvish Irani is a general medical practitioner who was the founder and past president of the Zoroastrian Cultural Welfare Association, as also the founder and president of the Navazbai Contractor Baug Zoroastrian Charitable Association, a past trustee of the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman of Bombay and delegate of the Parsi Matrimonial Court from 1992-2002.

Observing that "Parsis are a minority and have minority status but no minority benefit,” with the aim of securing two percent reservation for Parsi/Irani youth in professional colleges he ventured into Parsi politics but was not successful at the trusteeship elections in 1993. Whilst retaining this goal, he also feels the need to impart religious education to our youth every week at all possible venues, holding community gahanbars every year, visiting baugs and colonies every quarter to gauge the needs and solve problems facing residents, resolving all housing hassles amicably.

Ervad Tehmasp Rustomji Mogul has been practicing as a priest for over 60 years and as an advocate in the Bombay High Court for the last 45 years. A former committee member of the Udvada Athornan Anjuman he had helped with religious, administrative and legal work and is presently trustee of several charitable trusts/institutions extending help to the needy for medical, educational and housing purposes.

To put an end to the infighting within the community and to safeguard the properties and funds of the BPP he has chosen to stand as trustee. Whilst highlighting the impropriety of controversies facing the community like intermarriage, initiation of children of intermarried couples, allotment of houses, permitting prayers at Doongerwadi for those Zoroastrians who have chosen to be cremated, he is confident, "I will be able to solve most of the problems amicably in consultation not only with the present trustees but also with the members of the community and mostly with priestly class, scholars of our community and then put whatever they said in the matter before the whole community as I am aware that the trustees of the BPP cannot do anything without the help and applying mind by the Zoroastrian community as a whole.”

Tehmtan Jamshedji Dumasia is a "successful businessman running an established range of activities — Shernaaz Florist, Foto Flash Video Labs, ‘K’ Caterers.” On the social front he has served as president and secretary of Godrej Baug, as secretary (South Bombay) of the District Congress Committee, volunteer for Senior Citizen Helpline 1090 and as member of the Mohalla Peace Committee, Malabar Hill.

He describes himself as a "genuine, sincere, hardworking, self motivated, workaholic, social worker, people’s person” and pledges to support the rights of the common man, to help people on the waiting list for housing, to assist people get justice where it is due, to take a concerned view about our religious tenets, to give a fair hearing to people’s problems and bring them to a just conclusion, to encourage the youngsters of our community to take a lead in all activities, to support the poor and the needy as also the senior citizens of the community.

Urvax Kekhashru Dhanda who hails from Navsari has made his home in Bombay where he is a partner in a construction business. As president of the Godrej Baug Residents Welfare Association for three consecutive terms he introduced services to aid the colony and as member of the Zoroastrian Children’s Foundation he has helped organize summer and swimming camps besides assisting the needy at Doongerwadi, widows’ chawls and Ernest Borges Home for Cancer Patients.

"A time has come for me to give back to the Parsi/Irani community at large my emotions, experiences and successes on a larger scale devoting my maximum time,” writes Dhanda. As a trustee he would like to give priority to senior citizens by looking after the needy elderly; encourage and help the youth to join government services and other professions as also institutes of higher learning; assist promising sports­per­sons by providing equipment and coaching; introduce cashless group mediclaim policy for the community; review the leave and license policy applicable in community housing; facilitate maintenance and repairs; review and revise the merit rating scheme and create further housing stock whilst reducing litigation. Ultimately with his love and zeal for the community he would like to build on "greater brand equity value of Parsis/Iranis which would safeguard and preserve our community…”

Dr Viraf Jehangir Kapadia is a practicing homeopath who has organized several homeopathic medical camps in various parts of India. He is associated with community trusts like the Bhikha Behram Well and R. S. Sethna Charity Trust where he is a trustee. He serves as a delegate on the Parsi Chief Matrimonial Court and is badge examiner for The West Bombay Bharat Scouts and Guides.

He believes that "the trustees are the servants of the community” and there should be no compromise with religion, customs and traditions under the excuse of modernization and on humanitarian grounds. A marriage to a Parsi should earn a gift of a flat from the BPP. Dilapidated buildings should be repaired and restored. The needy should be daily given free food. Bombay Parsi Punchayet should change its name to World Parsi Punchayet. A dignified funeral through dakhmenashini with four days’ prayers should be assured at Doongerwadi with the cost being borne by the BPP. The responsibility for the protection of Parsi children vests with the parents and trustees of the BPP. Rather than build a tower at Godrej Baug, the BPP should build a home for the aged and an office for the Punchayet and return peacefully the possession of the third floor to the trustees of Sir J. J. Boys’ School. From the Rs 7,000 crores earmarked for minorities in the 11th Five Year Plan, the Prime Minister’s 15-point program and Rs 100 crore in the Government of Maharashtra, Welfare Department, the community should claim a share.

Yazdi Framroze Madon who has done his BA with economics and LLM holds a commendatory note from the Mumbai Police Commissioner for social service rendered.

Listing his attributes as "sincere, reliable, efficient, trustworthy, understands others’ difficulties,” his priorities as a trustee would start with making necessary major administrative changes. He believes that housing applications be considered only on merit under various categories laid down by the BPP, that litigation against residential members be minimized, that funds be utilized for the betterment of the poor and needy members of the community, that administrative expenses be minimized and funds accumulated for future generations, that new buildings be constructed and land for further housing be developed, that government administration be approached for education seats in colleges and for jobs in government services for economically backward Zoroastrians, that negotiations be made with the government for exemption of stamp duty payable at the time of leave and licence agreements by occupants in Parsi Punchayet buildings.

Ervad Yezdi Pestonji Panthaki, a 71-year-old priest enjoying a panthak at the H. B. Wadia Atas Bahram has been trained as a pucca navar maratab and over the years rendered priestly services and guidance to the anjumans in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh during his postings when working for Gestetner International for 25 years and before that at the State Bank of India in Poona. He had earlier served as CEO of the Athornan Mandal and as honorary secretary of the Iran League and the Cusrow Baug Agiary Trust. Over the years he has been trustee of the Saronda Anjuman, Jeejeebhoy Baj Trust, Ratheshtar Mandal and Jarthosti Bhaiband Mandali, and served as president of the Godrej Baug Residents Welfare Association when the sacred fire was enthroned at the Jokhi Agiary. Keenly interested in sports and being the winner of the Zoroastrian Body Building Championship at the age of 68 years he has organized the Tele-Monsoon Games and inter-colony volley ball, football and throwball games.

His "ambitious, innovative pro­jects” to benefit the community include rain water harvesting, solar energy conservation, water recycling, garbage recycling, plant nursery, outsourcing of Parsi Lying-in Hospital, preservation of Doongerwadi sanctity, encouragement to youth for timely matrimony, tenancy rights in housing. "By God’s grace the miraculous changes will take place if I am elected…” states his manifesto.

List of candidates

Adil Dinshaw Irani, proposer (P) Dinshaw Rustom Irani, seconder (S) Minnie Dinshaw Irani

Arnavaz Jal Mistry, (P) Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, (S) Dr Gustad Bejon Daver

Bomi Darasha Kavina, (P) Amy Rustom Kavarana, (S) Ervad Parvez Minocher Bajan

Byram Nanabhoy Jeejeebhoy, (P) Cyrus Jamshed Guzder, (S) Homi Rustom Khushrokhan

Cyrus Aspi Patel, (P) Adi Dadiba Gowadia, (S) Homi Adi Gowadia

Danesh Kaikhushroo Nejadkay, (P) Ratoo Dara Dastur, (S) Ervad Asphandiar Rustomji Dadachanji

Darayus Behram Kabraji, (P) Meher Pheroze Bharucha, (S) Vinifer Jamshed Gandhi

Dinshaw Rusi Mehta, (P) Rusi Nussarwanji Sethna, (S) Cowasjee Nusserwanjee Dinshaw

Farrokh Pheroze Munsiff, (P) Zarin Farrokh Munsiff, (S) Adil Fali Tarapore

Ervad Framroze Sohrabji Mirza, (P) Ervad Jamshed Jehangirji Charna, (S) Noshir Sorabji Avari

Jimmy Rusi Mistry, (P) Boman Rustom Irani, (S) Lily Rusi Mistry

Keki Minoo Mistry, (P) Cyrus Jamshed Guzder, (S) Nawshir Hoshang Mirza

Kersi Minocher Patel, (P) Adar Behramji Tarapore, (S) Dali Keki Mistry

Dr Ketayun Dinshaw, (P) Cyrus Jamshed Guzder, (S) Homi Rustom Khushrokhan

Khojeste Pudam Mistree, (P) Ervad Firoz Meherji Kotwal, (S) Homi Phiroze Ranina

Dr Kuresh Behram Zorabi, (P) Diniar Darab Mehta, (S) Homai Ardeshir Faramarzian

Maneck Hormusjee Engineer, (P) Jamshyd Nowrojee Godrej, (S) Dr Dinyar Maneckji Gamadia

Muncherji Nusserwanji Cama, (P) Justice Sam Nariman Variava (Retd), (S) Sir Dinshaw Maneckji Petit

Nadir Ardeshir Modi, (P) Minoo Rustomji Shroff, (S) Ervad Asphandiar Rustomji Dadachanji

Noshir Homi Dadrawala, (P) Homi Rustom Khushrokhan, (S) Nawshir Hoshang Mirza

Phiroze Cawasji Amroliwalla, (P) Dr Kekobad Minocher Mody, (S) Dinyar Rustomji Contractor

Rustom Sheriar Tirandaz, (P) Tehmi Darab Chichgur, (S) Minoo Sorab Mehta

Sarosh Nadirshaw Gandhi, (P) Aspi Faramrose Langrana, (S) Naushir Dara Anklesaria

Shirin Dara Choksey, (P) Silloo Sam Commissariate, (S) Dr Behram Dinshaw Bode

Sohrab Erach Dastur, (P) Cyrus Jamshed Guzder, (S) Homi Rustom Khushrokhan

Dr Syrus Darvish Irani, (P) Ervad Rumi Farshostra Bhandari, (S) Ervad Aspi Darabshah Antia

Tehmasp Rustomji Mogul, (P) Eruch Sorabji Hodiwalla, (S) Ronnie Hoshang Mirza

Tehmtan Jamshedji Dumasia, (P) Dr Arnavaz Manekji Havewala, (S) Homi Dhunjishaw Bhagwagar

Urvax Kekhashru Dhanda, (P) Perin Sam Bagli, (S) Vispy Bahadur Kapadia

Dr Viraf Jehangir Kapadia, (P) Soona Jehangir Kapadia, (S) Nanu Naval Sethna

Yazdi Framroze Madon, (P) Sam Dhanjishaw Vesuna, (S) Dinaz Yazdi Madon

Yazdi Hosi Desai, (P) Cowasjee Nusserwanjee Dinshaw, (S) Zareen Jimmy Engineer

Ervad Yezdi Pestonji Framji Panthaki, (P) Gool Yezdi Panthaki, (S) Ervad Sarosh Yezdi Panthaki