“Appeal for funds”

In his letter "Appeal for funds” (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, July 7, 2012) Homi N. Sethna of Ooty has stated "ours is the only functional place for burial south of Bangalore, catering to the entire southern part of the peninsula.” I beg to differ.

The Calicut Parsi Anjuman has been the only functional place for burial with a resident priest in attendance for over 75 years. The first priest was Ervad Makujina who was in charge of the fire temple for over 43 years. Then came Ervad Faradoon Dastur who managed the affairs of this Anjuman for another 27 years, followed by Nariman Marshall for three years and lastly Hoshang Bhandara.

It would interest readers to note that we have sent our priests to Ooty for prayers and to perform navjotes and other religious ceremonies on several occasions at their request, which surprisingly Sethna is not aware of or chooses to ignore.

Calicut was the central place for Parsis from Ooty, Trichur, Cochin, Allepey, Coimbatore, Trivandrum and Cannanore. Our priests performed all the ceremonies, including burial, the last one being that of Sohrab Kavina from Trichur two years back. The ashes of Rattan Narielwalla were also brought to Calicut for burial after his cremation at Bangalore, according to his wishes.

From the above it is very clear that it was the Calicut Parsi Anjuman which catered to the religious needs of Parsis in Kerala , Coimbatore and Ooty.

DARIUS PHIROZE MARSHALL

Managing trustee, Calicut Parsi Anjuman