Encourage and empower

"All gathered here are very keen to find out what the youth is doing…For the past three meetings there has been no detailed presentation. I am very disappointed,” mentioned Yazdi Desai, Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustee and joint honorary treasurer of the Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India (FPZAI) at its two-day executive council meeting in Bombay on February 11 and 12, 2012. Acknowledged Shovir Irani of the Federation of Zoroastrian Youth Associations of India (FOZYA), "For the past four years there have been major problems regarding (elections) and accounts…With the help of ZYNG (Zoroastrian Youth for the Next Generation) our last youth seminar was a big success. We are going to continue every year with two meets.”

FOZYA’s 21st youth conference will be held in Ahmedabad in November 2012. This year the intercity meet in the first week of June is proposed to be held in Panchgani. The FOZYA website, www.fozya.in will regularly update the developments, announced Irani.

When he requested all Federation members with youth organizations "to register with us,” North Zone vice president Tehmton Anklesaria suggested that when inviting two representatives, hosts of Federation meetings should request every anjuman to send one youth delegate. He was happy to announce that the secretary of the Ratlam Anjuman is 25 years old while the secretary of the Mhow Anjuman is in his thirties.

In response to BPP trustee Armaity Tiran­daz’s query regarding the subjects discussed at youth seminars, Irani announced that entrepreneurship and religion were the topics on which the youth were addressed. The Fed Newsletter should incorporate news of their activities, suggested Pervez Irani of the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman, making Anklesaria observe, "Where is the Fed Newsletter? It has disappeared in the last two years.” In years past it was the then Federation joint honorary secretary Keki Gandhi who would edit the newsletter. Regretting the "constraints” that have not permitted the publication of the newsletter Dinshaw Mehta, FPZAI president and BPP chairman stated, "If the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman want to take on the newsletter we will be very happy and we will be willing to assist in any way.”

(From left) Muncherji Cama, Arnavaz Mistry, Mancher Mubarakai, Khojeste Mistree, Yazdi Desai, Dinshaw Mehta, Tehmton Anklesaria, Darayas Master, Kerfegar Antia and Armaity Tirandaz; ( in the foreground) Marazban Wadia and Marzban Mehta)

Boost for BPP

"Created as a social platform” for the youth, ZYNG, the youth wing of the BPP, has over 4,000 members in the 16-40 age group. "ZYNG is apolitical and does not get involved in religious controversies,” stated ZYNG committee member Viraf Mehta referring to the over 50 events that they have organized in the last two years. Their social events like dinner and dance draw crowds of over 500 whilst trips to the fire temples may see a turnout of only 25. They presented the desktop ZYNG calendar to all the delegates and Viraf Mehta referred to the adverse remarks earned by the 2011 calendar for the Zoroastrian models exposing more than necessary. ZYNG was also faulted when some people got drunk at the Navroz function in 2011 making Viraf Mehta comment, "Alcohol is part of Parsi culture. Friends from private groups got intoxicated but fingers were pointed at us.”

The core committee of ZYNG comprises 20 individuals who function sans hierarchy. They work on the basis of majority. Everyone is doing voluntary work and they are committed to maintaining "the heritage and tradition but we need a loose rein,” he addressed the seniors. "When the youth are making an effort, some are trying to pull them down,” he regretted. He felt ZYNG was serving its purpose in "getting Parsi youth to meet,” and alluded to "the great divide” between those residing in private buildings and the youngsters from colonies who are dismissed as "haadaas” (uncultured youth) although they are blessed with the necessary culture and upbringing. Realizing that the "complacency amongst us has to change,” Viraf Mehta stressed, "The youth need to intermingle and move ahead…We need the youth of other anjumans to be involved with us.”

After completing 25 years the Holiday Programme for Youth (HPY) is "still going strong…getting bigger and better,” summed up HPY coordinator Azmin Mistry. "We owe it to the BPP for making the Programme so special for all our members,” she declared. As part of their silver jubilee celebrations they felicitated all the resource people who have been contributing to the success of the Programme each year. An overview of the last HPY in May 2011 attended by 196 students who had completed their Std X school leaving examinations was given by Jamsheed Master.

The World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) has completed "10 years of active participation… supporting business initiatives through finance and mentoring,” mentioned Farrokh Rus­tomji, co-opted member of West Zone A. He referred to the recent meet jointly organized by the youth wing of WZCC and ZYNG to reach out to a larger community youth audience, and their earlier efforts to draw young Zoroastrians through the HPY.

There are 324 males registered on the BPP Matrimonial Bureau as against 142 females, conveyed Federation executive secretary and BPP trustee Arnavaz Mistry who felt that the disproportionate sex ratio is impeding the success of this venture. From the 466 youngsters who have availed of this facility, "two couples have married, few others are engaged and a number of others are dating. Two boys will propose on this Valentine’s Day,” she informed the Federation delegates. Regular monthly meetings are held at Della Tower, thanks to BPP trustee Jimmy Mistry’s largesse, where music and snacks are arranged for those attending. "My core team has put their heart and soul to get the youth introduced…so that they do not marry outside the community,” she said.

Keki Gandhi (left) and Hoshang Wania

As an inducement to increase community numbers, effective January 1, 2012, the BPP will give Rs 5,000 per month towards the raising of the third child till the child completes 18 years of age. This offer is open to Zoroastrian families who meet the economic requirements in any part of India. For the second child, the incentive amount is Rs 3,000 per month.

In the absence of residential space facilities "not much progress” has been made in the area of assisting those needing special care, reported Tirandaz. They are hoping that Dossibai Home in the compound of the Masina Hospital would be amenable to permitting an institution to function there. "The anxiety of parents is immense. They say ‘we are willing to donate all our assets towards the child after our demise’ but we can’t accept without having anything concrete.” The core group until now has been functioning independently but "we would like to really request the BPP trustees to help us out. We cannot abandon our responsibility. We are bound to look after children with special needs. We are looking after the aged, widows…” she added. Dinshaw Mehta noted that he had sought the intervention of former BPP trustee Burjor Antia and was hoping he would be able to convince the Dossibai Home trustees.

When Jimmy Mistry suggested that space at the M. F. Cama Athornan Institute in Andheri could be considered, Tirandaz mentioned that she was given to understand that an international school is coming up there. Yet another member suggested using the premises of the Parsi Lying-in Hospital, making Dinshaw Mehta comment, "The BPP are the owners but we are supposed to be the rubber stamp of the managing committee.” There is a dispute between the managing committee and the BPP over the terms to lease the space for construction of an orthopedic facility. "We are told by Yezdi Bhagwagar ‘you will have to do whatever we tell you,’” conveyed Mehta. Unable to trace their 1924 documents they tried approaching the High Court but learnt that records were missing even there. He termed the proposal and goings-on "a scam.” "If there is a settlement we would be happy to house this institute (for children with special needs),” assured Mehta.

Assistance and vigilance

The Poverty Amelioration Scheme introduced by the Federation collected contributions of six lakhs each from erstwhile West Zone B vice president Areez Khambatta and the BPP. As against this collection they disbursed Rs 6,95,085 to assist 79 individuals from January 2010 to March 2012. Barring 15 beneficiaries from Secunderabad-Hyderabad, and one each from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, the rest were from Gujarat, as per the capsule statement distributed to those present.

The Direct Tax Code that the government wanted to introduce from April 1, 2012 under which it would have become mandatory for religious trusts to pay income and wealth tax has, with the support of the Press, created necessary awareness so that "99 percent this law will not come into effect,” announced Hoshang Wania representing Nargol. Keki Daruwalla, the Zoroastrian representative on the National Minorities Commission too has assured that religious trusts will be exempted from this proposed law. "If the bill is introduced, we will have to fight again,” stated Wania making Mehta comment, "Please be vigilant and make sure it is not done behind our back.”

Bringing the Federation proceedings to a close Dinshaw Mehta acknowledged, "All’s well that ends well.” Lauding the many compromises worked out by Yazdi Desai to ensure the Federation working was not stalled over the issue of elections of vice president of West Zone B and attempts by the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ) to gain further control of the all India body, Mehta remarked that Desai’s "contribution cannot be ignored. He was the major architect.”

Those attending the Federation meeting were: Naval Surty, Kersi Daruwala and M. Billimoria from Abu Road; Sarosh Bhurana from Ankleshwar; Anahita Desai and Meher Panthaki from Badnera-Amravati; Homi Pithawalla and Kersi Sanjana from Bardoli; Maki Kapadia from Belgaum; Kersi Sethna and Gustasp Pastakia from Bhagwa; Sarosh and Pilloo Ginwalla from Bharuch; Parvez Driver and Hushang Vakil from Bhatha; Noshir Karanjia from Bhesan; Marazban Baria from Billimora; Dinshaw Mehta, Khojeste Mistree, Yazdi Desai, Arnavaz Mistry, Jimmy Mistry, Armaity Tirandaz, Muncherji Cama, Mehli Colah and Cawas Panthaki from Bombay; Minoo Khan, Khurshed Pastakia and Yazdi Motiwala from Borivli; Thrity Wadia from Chhattisgarh; Minocher Katrak, Vistasp Katrak, Parvez Italia and Rohintan Italia from Chikhli; B. N. Chiniwala and Mancher Mubarakai from Dahanu; Homai Engineer from Daman-Vapi; Parvez Wadia and Marazban Wadia from Davier; Firdaus Kapadia and Sherena Khan from Deolali; Malcom Pandol, Sharukh Todiwala and Zubin Bhatporia from Dumas; Shovir Irani from the Federation of Zoroastrian Youth Associations of India; Phiroze Gandevia and Ervad Kurush Sidhwa from Gandevi; Eruch Lalkaka from Godhra; Pervin Jehangir from Ilav; Mehrwan Irani and Pervez Irani from the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman; Kerman Batliwalla and Bakhtawar Karbhari from Jabalpur; Ronny Dick from Jhansi; Adi Engineer from Kanpur; Hormuzdiar Rana from Karanj; Pervez Khergamwalla and Tannaz Parakh from Khergam; Mani Clubwala and Dadiba Dalal from Madras; P. R. Postwala from Mahuva; Percy Mandviwalla and Godrej Hansotia from Mandvi; Cyrus Mancherji and Zal Cowasji from Mhow; Farroakh Govadia, Noshir Dordee and Hoshang Wania from Nargol; Viraf Chiniwala from Navsari; Dr Navroze Kotwal, Mehernosh Zaveri, Darab Bajina and Kersi Tamboli from Panchgani; Homi Pardiwala and Hosi Sui from Pardi; Farokh Irani and Bahram Pashutanizadeh from Poona; Khurshid Buhariwala from Raipur; Khushman Tamboli from Rajkot; Tehmton Anklesaria and Arshad Contractor from Ratlam; Yezdi Panthaki, Jehangir Mandvi­wala, Dinshaw Patel and Sarosh Poonawala from Saronda; Jamsheed Kanga from Satara; R. F. Dhabhar and Behram Irani from Sholapur; Darayas Master, Yazdi Karanjia, Farokh Irani, K. A. Khobyar, Shirin Rana and Hor­mazd­yar Patel from Surat; Yasmine Sanjana from Tavdi; Zarsis Udhnawala, Pervez Bhesania and Zubin Sethna from Thana; Rohinton Engineer from Udvada; Baman Cama from Vadodara; Marzban Dhanbhoora, Sam Chothia and Aspi Sanjana from Valsad; Pesi Kasad and Darayas Mirza from Vansda; Soonu Vesuna, Keki Lakdavala and Zarvan Patvi from Vesu; Dinyar Nakra from Vizag; Dr Bahadur Jokhi, Persi Buha­riwala and Soli Buhariwala from Vyara; Adi Mehta from Zai Bordi. The Press was represented by Jam-e-Jam-shed Weekly, The Parsee Voice and Parsiana.

The office bearers and co-opted members who were not representing their punchayet were South Zone vice president Kerfegar Antia, retiring West Zone B vice president Areez Khambatta, joint honorary secretary Pervez Mehta and West Zone A co-opted member Farrokh Rustomji. The guest speakers were Sarosh Manekshaw, Sorab Katpitia, Azmin Mistry, Jamsheed Master and Viraf Mehta.