“No greater honor”

"You have made it out that I have honored you by coming here. But I have come with my own agenda. I want the blessings of Iranshah. I want three things from the sacred fire. I want the gifts of humata, hukhta, huvarashta — to think good thoughts, speak good words, do good deeds with mind, heart and spirit — so that I may not make mistakes, not do harm to anyone.”

With these words Gujarat chief minister (CM) Narendra Modi enthralled the Parsi Irani community, assembled 5,000 strong on the Udvada shore. They had gathered there on the morning of April 24, 2011 to felicitate Modi as much as to pay homage to Iranshah on the 1,290th anniversary of the fire’s consecration.

On February 28, Modi’s government had issued a notification to set up the Udvada Area Development Authority (UADA) to control development and protect the holy fire, the latest of his interventions on behalf of the Parsi community staring at the unhappy prospect of cosmopolitan residential development in Iranshah’s backyard. Way back in 2002 he had, in conjunction with the central government, arranged a sum of Rs 1.23 crore to enable the establishment of the Foundation for Development of Udvada (FDU) and more significantly, of the Zoroastrian Information Centre (ZIC), a museum dedicated to the religion and way of life that buttressed the many accomplishments of the community in India.

Narendra Modi addressing the community at Udvada

In acknowledgement of Modi’s help, the two high priests of Udvada — Dastur Khurshed Dastoor and Dastur (Dr) Peshotan Mirza — had honored him in Gandhinagar on March 9, 2011 in the presence of members of the community in Gujarat when Modi accepted their invitation to grace the Iranshah’s annual celebrations this year.

In his welcome address "on behalf of the Udvada Parsi Anjuman, the Udvada Gram Punchayet and every resident of Udvada,” Dastoor declared, "As long as Iranshah survives, so long will the Parsis. As long as we live in India and as long as we have the rulers’ support, no one can harm us. With Narendra Modi’s idea and support the FDU was formed and the ZIC came up so that other communities can see what has been achieved by us. Ever since we completed it in 2008 we have been dreaming of his arrival to see it… As long as the community endures, Narendra Modi’s presence here will be remembered.” He urged the gathering to its feet in a standing ovation to the man "who has done everything for us… befriended us and honored us… Today Gujarat state is in first place in India in terms of development because of the chief minister’s vision. When we celebrate Iranshah’s 1,300th anniversary, we shall welcome Narendra Modi as the prime minister of India.”

Acknowledging the love and admiration that surrounded him that morning, Modi noted, "Today will remain memorable in my life…When the world’s smallest community, a micro-minority, gives a standing ovation, there can be no greater honor.” He interpreted it as a recognition of just governance in Gujarat and said he did not want to know in what capacity he would come to Iranshah’s 1,300th salgirah. Himself a published poet in Gujarati, whose verses were quoted by compere Mahrukh Chichgar of Surat in her scholarly conduct of the day’s proceedings which were all in Gujarati, Modi said he could imagine the fear and distress on the faces of the original Zoroastrian refugees being replaced by expressions of peace and joy when they were granted sanctuary. "I can see the same expressions on the community’s faces today.” Parsiana’s rendition is a free translation of tributes to and from the CM.

1. Havovi Dastoor welcoming N. Modi; 2. Dr Homi Dhalla, 2A. Jehangir Cama, Homai Modi, Dinshaw Tamboly and N. Modi; 3. Mithoo Jesia, Dasturs Firoz Kotwal, Peshotan Mirza, K. Dastoor and Kaikhushroo Dastur Meherjirana; 4. Sushri Barthi, 5. Behram Mehta, 6. Smriti Irani 7. Nadir Godrej; 8. Homai Engineer, 9. Boman Irani,10. Maharukh Chichgar, 11. Rati Godrej; 12. A. F. Petit School girls presenting garbas; 13. the "original” boat people; 14. Dadar Parsi Colony kids participating in the Kisseh; 15. Parinaz, Shanaya and Daraius Dastoor;

"I wonder what would have happened if the Parsis had not arrived in Gujarat, what would have happened to us? We would have not known humor or how to weather troubles with a smiling face. You are a heritage of Gujarat. I have come to acknowledge that,” he continued, adding, "You have given everything, asked for nothing — not even an electoral ticket!

"In every sphere of life in India there is a Parsi stalwart. Parsis have given service to the country. Azadi ni ladat ma bi bè sitara hata (There were two lodestars in the struggle for freedom): Dadabhai Naoroji and Madame Cama. I hope the new generations of Parsis will not forget Mme Cama and not let anyone else forget the flag she unfurled in Germany! Along with her were two other Gujaratis — Shyam Sri Varma and Sardar Sri Rana. I urge you all to go to Mandvi in Kutch where three months ago we have established a memorial to Varma — a recreation of India House in miniature. Cama’s history is enshrined there.

"Remember you are the progeny of such people. If you had increased the community numbers, how much more sweetness you could have spread in the country! I pray to Iranshah to increase your community,” said Modi, responding to actor Boman Irani’s earlier comment that the community had kept its promise to sweeten the land of its adoption without adding to its population problem.

"Not speaking as a scholar but as a student,” Modi pondered on "how bad were the days that you had to leave everything behind — home, friends, motherland. How fortunate that our forefathers could assimilate the group who sought refuge and help to set up Iranshah. Iranshah has kept the community together and led it to prosperity,” he noted, comparing it to Guru Granth Saheb of the Sikhs. "When will Iran be freed of its bondage?” he questioned rhetorically and sought a lesson for the Parsis from the Jews. Condemned to exile for 2,500 years, he said the Jews never failed in their parting greeting with each other: "‘We meet next year in Jerusalem.’ Eventually this dream was fulfilled. There is the same strength in Iranshah… All Parsis must congregate once a year in Sanjan/Udvada.”

"For years I have done yatras to Sanjan and Udvada on a scooter. It occurred to me then that this could be a world heritage center where scholars from all over the world could come to understand the principle of religious harmony… About seven years ago, when religious conflict in the country was at its peak, I had suggested to the Government of India tourism minister Jagmohan that Sanjan/Udvada be recognized as a world heritage site… I tell the world that if you want to understand religious harmony, you must go there… I remember seeing tears running down the face of Jehangir Cama (founder and proprietor of Cama Hotels in Ahmedabad and eventually co-chairman of FDU) and his wife who were in the audience, as I spoke.

"Come to center stage,” Modi urged the gathered community. "I am ready to hold your hand. The Gujarat government wants to support and help you and is looking to help, save and support your future generations…”

Earlier, Irani had announced to the audience the formation of the UADA and recalled Parsi leaders in India’s armed forces and the professions, past and present, "including the great Dr Farokh Udwadia who hails from this town.” In terms of the famed sugar and milk episode of Kisseh-e-Sanjan, he urged the rank and file of the community, "Do not consider yourself any less. Each one of us is like a single grain of sugar. Do not underestimate your potential to continue to sweeten this country.”

Paraphrasing the Avestan benediction he recited to welcome the CM, Mirza prayed to the "all-knowing, all powerful Mazda to provide health , righteousness and success, bless all people, especially one who uses his power to improve the condition of others… Hon’ble chief minister Narendra Modi, we honor you on behalf of those who are present and those unable to attend, thank and welcome you. The promise that the community made to Jadi Rana, I reiterate that promise to you.”

Also present on the dais with the Udvada High Priests were Dastur Kaikhushro Dastoor Meherjirana of Navsari and Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal of Bombay. Each of them presented a shawl and flowers to the CM followed by community members from across the country and representatives of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America, the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce and the house of Godrej represented by Maneck Engineer while Rati and Nadir Godrej remained seated in the audience. Modi divested himself of all the shawls presented to him, retaining only the first one presented by Dastur Khurshed until he left the podium. Two salvers were also presented to him, one on behalf of the Udvada Anjuman by Mirza and the other on behalf of the FDU by Khurshed Dastoor.

In his vote of thanks Aavan Mineral Waters’ proprietor Behram Mehta, who with his wife Tina, had been instrumental in helping Dastoor in Gandhinagar, assured Modi, "We have no wish to go to Iran. We are happy with Gujarat and India. We shall await you, always.”

Clockwise from top left: Rohinton Engineer, Zarir Bhathena, Homi Khusrokhan, Arnavaz Mistry, Armaity Tirandaz, Jimmy Mistry, Dadi Mistry and Homai Daruwalla. Photos: Sarosh Daruwalla, Mazda Audio Video Lab. Arnavaz Mistry photo Dolly Divecha, Ratna Deep

Before the speeches the girls of the Avabai Petit School led by their hostel superintendent Yasmin Charna and Parsi musician Marzban Mehta welcomed Modi by singing a couple of Parsi- Gujarati garbas. A skit based on the Kisseh written and directed by Dadar Parsi Colony stalwart Mithoo Jesia and performed by the children of the Colony ranging in years from five to 16 had to be presented after the CM’s departure. While the large cast and imaginative props were being readied on the makeshift stage under the huge shamiana, Ilm-e-Khshnoomist Meherjirana, who was still on the stage, spoke gently about his unhappiness at the bitterness and strife bedeviling the community. Why should contrary opinions on religion lead to antagonism? he asked, counseling an open mind, harmony and goodwill instead.

In the process of preparation for the event, Modi had expressed a desire to view Iranshah from the street and to see an old Parsi home in Udvada. Accordingly, Dastur Khurshed had invited him to walk through his residence which faces Iranshah and have a cup of tea. So Modi’s program required him to fly to Daman and thence come to Udvada accompanied by Khurshed. It allowed him five minutes outside Iranshah and five minutes at Dastoor’s residence before proceeding to the ZIC. There he was conducted through the heritage bungalow restored by architects Pankaj Joshi and Jamshid Bhiwandiwala and quickly explained the posters and artefacts depicting the community’s history pre and post Islam, in Iran and India, by the museum’s curators Homai Modi and Dr Homi Dhalla before arriving at the venue of the function. Dhalla, founder president of the World Zarathushti Cultural Foundation, spoke to Narendra Modi about the urgent need to protect and preserve the oldest Parsi dakhma excavated in Sanjan together with a lot of artefacts. While departing from the function, Modi was reportedly overheard asking his secretary to remind him about the request.

The meticulous planning for the event had Khurshed Dastoor leading a horde of helpers in Udvada, Gujarat and Bombay, among them TV star Smriti Irani and the collector of Valsad Sushri Barthi who was present on stage through the event. A colorful souvenir, depicting some of the exhibits in the ZIC as also the many tasks undertaken by the FDU, has been sponsored by Schott Kaisha Private Limited and printed by the Union Press. It also contains messages from CM Modi, all the Parsi High Priests, FDU managing director Dinshaw Tamboly and industrialists Ratan Tata, Adi Godrej and Pheroza and Jamshyd Godrej.

The high voltage event was preceded and accompanied by a host of security measures. The day prior saw an enormous fleet of vehicles of the Gujarat Police combing through each of the venues. Khurshed Dastoor was required to furnish the names of all those who would be present in his home and at the ZIC at the time of the CM’s arrival. They were limited to his household and personal guests in the first case and the FDU trustees in the other. Accordingly, identity cards bearing the name of the person along with the stamp of the Valsad police were required to be pinned on the sari/shirt of the individual concerned. No one else was allowed into those venues while the CM was expected or present — not even in the street outside Dastoor’s house.

To compensate, a gala gahanbar had been organized, also on the sea front, a short distance away, where Maneck (Mek) Tadiwalla and his team toiled to prepare the lunch for the hungry horde that 49 buses had ferried from Gujarat and Maharashtra. The victualling helped allay the vicissitudes of traffic jams on the way home.