BPA: preserving Parsipanu

"We falsely reassure ourselves that someone will take care of our problems. But each of us must do our bit to face obstacles. Let us have the satisfaction of doing something for our community like our forefathers,” urged Rustom Jejeebhoy, who had lately been installed as Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, eight baronet, when presiding over the annual function of The Bombay Parsee Association (BPA) on January 24, 2008. "The community today is at the crossroad… Our existence is endangered from inside… Needless controversies, missed opportunities, impoverishment of the middle class, excessive dependence on charities… is cause for remedial action…

"We have to motivate the next generation to forge ahead in the world. (Pursue) only a one-point agenda — nurture children that they keep the faith alive and our fires burn brightly,” he added. In favor of according due respect and dignity to the priests, he pointed out, "Without mobeds there can be no Zoroastrianism and without Zoroastrianism, Parsis cannot survive… In the early 1900s, 10 percent of the Bombay population were Parsis; today we are less than half a percent. Instead of claiming concessions, let us make ourselves indispensable to our country,” Jejeebhoy advised the community which he believed had no "parallel in the annals of Indian history.”

Jejeebhoy’s serious discourse followed the mirth introduced by guest of honor Yazdi Karanjia, trustee of the Surat Parsi Panchayat and legendary Gujarati thespian who was present at the function exhorting the audience to render humanitarian service, respect parents and minimize pollution. Prior to his trip to Bombay which is known to have Parsis more conversant in English than Gujarati, he had been forewarned, "Don’t speak in English, otherwise their culture will become agriculture!” The comedian’s other observations, "We visit agiary/atash behram to please the invisible God. Let us please the visible parents at home too... There is no cosmetic for beauty like cheerfulness.”

On the dais at the BPA function (from left): Rusi Bhumgara, Aloo Shroff, Arnavaz S. Mistry, Arnavaz J. Mistry, Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhooy, Vispi Dastur, Yazdi Karanjia, Delara Jejeebhoy, Pesi Damania, Shawn Wadia, Jazeel Limzerwala, Adale Patel and Temina Peer; (bottom) Dastur flanked by award winners

Advocating "excellence, determination, devotion,” BPA president Vispi Dastur was sanguine "the powerful whirlwind of change that has swept this land” can be withstood if one believed in the Scout motto of "be prepared” and the community preserves its Parsipanu. The BPA’s efforts in increasing religious knowledge among the community sees nearly 300-400 Zoroastrians from all age groups participating in their annual prayer recitation and kusti spinning and weaving competitions. The 88-year-old organization also supports educational, medical and other causes through its different activities, highlighted committee member Rusi Bhumgara.

Besides paying homage to the erstwhile martyrs and leaders of the community, the BPA believes in recognizing the efforts of its contemporaries with achievement awards. This year the awards in the form of trophies and cash gifts went to social worker Arnavaz Mistry, scouter Pesi Damania who had received the highest national award in scouting, The Silver Elephant, veteran journalist and community historian the late Mulchand Verma, and students Jazeel Limzerwala who scored the highest among Parsis at the Secondary School Certificate examination, and Shawn Wadia for simultaneously excelling in academics and sports.

Every winner of The Navaz Jimi Kathawalla Memorial Prize in the prayer and kusti weaving competition was honored with cash gifts and certificates as also two complimentary dinner coupons, courtesy Shahrukh Kathawalla who contributed Rs 1,80,000 towards the event, it was gratefully acknowledged. Both Shahrukh and his sister Mahrukh Noble used to be regular participants in these events in their younger days, the gathering was informed.

Lamenting that prayers are being forgotten by the community hankering for material wealth, Ratamai Peer faulted the parents for not insisting on children learning their bhantar. The frequently cited reason "excessive lessons” is only an excuse, she was convinced. Lauding the efforts of the philanthropic forefathers who established so many agiaries in different villages lest the devotees forget their religion, she said prayer competitions were meant to ensure that both parents and children revise their scriptures. Every prize winner was also presented the book Power of Prayers at the BPA function which started with a jashan led by Ervad Asphandiar Dadachanji and ended with the singing of Chhaiyé Hamé Zarathushti and partaking of dinner catered by Minoo Bharucha.

Parinaz M. Gandhi