Politics and Policy
Federation frontiers
With numbers depleting, anjuman representatives refer to the challenges in preserving community property
For one’s personal property, "why do we think of making a will after the age of 60 but for the property of the anjuman, especially when it is dwindling, why do we keep it unattended?” asked Tehmton Anklesaria, North Zone vice president at the executive council meeting of the Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India at Bombay’s West End Hotel on January 26, 2013.
"Why not accept custodianship of the Federation?” he persisted.
Reporting on the status of the North Zone anjumans, he took pride in Mhow’s foresight under Dr Behram Masani’s stewardship in being the first anjuman to sign a custodianship agreement with the Federation so that if the number of Parsis in the area fall below 15, the Federation can safeguard the property. At the other end of the spectrum are defunct community properties like Harda where in the absence of any Parsis, a Sardarji by the name of Passi, allegedly taking advantage of his name that can be confused with Parsi, has attempted to alienate the land. "With the judiciary moving at a slow speed,” and despite the persistent efforts of Sorab Katpitia of the Defunct Anjumans subcommittee they have reportedly only succeeded in serving him a summons after finally tracing him in Poona.
Reporting on the status of the North Zone anjumans, he took pride in Mhow’s foresight under Dr Behram Masani’s stewardship in being the first anjuman to sign a custodianship agreement with the Federation so that if the number of Parsis in the area fall below 15, the Federation can safeguard the property. At the other end of the spectrum are defunct community properties like Harda where in the absence of any Parsis, a Sardarji by the name of Passi, allegedly taking advantage of his name that can be confused with Parsi, has attempted to alienate the land. "With the judiciary moving at a slow speed,” and despite the persistent efforts of Sorab Katpitia of the Defunct Anjumans subcommittee they have reportedly only succeeded in serving him a summons after finally tracing him in Poona.
Bhopal with 10 bighas (13,690 sq m) of land has a lone Parsi living there who reportedly refuses to sign the custodianship document. Lucknow has accepted custodianship of the Federation but the formalities have yet to be completed, stated the North Zone vice president. Ratlam too is "on the verge of signing the custodianship documents,” announced Anklesaria after its representative Rustam Patel mentioned that there are only 15-17 Zoroastrians living there who come together for dinner meetings three or four times in a year. Anklesaria appealed to the Chattisgarh representatives to sign the custodianship papers but the following day at the annual general meeting there was no representative present to give a report on the anjuman. Jhansi too was requested to accept custodianship of the Federation since there are hardly 17 Parsis residing there. When Jhansi president Ronny Dick referred to his efforts to look after Jhansi affairs for the last 44 years, Anklesaria urged him to think 10 years hence when none of the elders may be alive. "Let the last Parsi living there do what he wants with the property,” responded Dick.
On the next day though, after giving his report on the Anjuman, Dick invited Anklesaria to come to Jhansi and convince the residents that the Federation was not interested in usurping its property. Seventy-two-year-old Dick, a retired mail train driver who has been president of the Anjuman for the last 25 years, said he has personally borne the cost of hiring a chowkidar for the last five years since the Anjuman cannot afford it and the Federation’s assurance of help has not reached them. There is also an aramgah in the Cantonment area with 350 graves where Dick mentioned he organizes prayers each year on Fravardin mah, Fravardin roz with a jashan the next day at the dharamshala. Since Dick offered to donate their big tapélas and dékchis (utensils) which were once used to cater to community meals to some other anjuman, Anklesaria advised him to sell them off to augment their paltry funds knowing that most dwindling anjumans in the neighborhood tend to order food from outside when they have get-togethers.
Although Neemuch had signed the custodianship papers some years prior, after the recent misunderstanding with the Federation representatives regarding sale of anjuman property (see "Line of control,” Parsiana, February 7, 2013), Noshir and Niloufer Jal showed their disappointment with the Federation representatives and openly voiced their doubts on the fair functioning of the Federation’s Defunct Anjumans subcommittee. Pacified Anklesaria, "Regarding Neemuch, there has been a communication gap. Whatever happened, I say sorry. We can find a better solution.”
The fear that anjuman property will be sold off as private property by the remaining few Parsis of dwindling anjumans or usurped by non-Parsis has made the Federation appoint a new subcommittee under coopted member Farrokh Rustomji to strive for legislative protection from the central government to safeguard community assets. Katpitia stated that he had detailed records of 80 areas in India where the community numbers are declining or have ceased to exist. "In India the judiciary runs at a snail’s pace and (when efforts are made to save community property) opposition bhi Parsi karé (it is also Parsis who put a spoke in the wheel),” has been Katpitia’s experience. Baman Cama of Vadodara sought to remind all present, "Defunct we will all be unless today we think of the community…We are dwindling no matter what (Federation joint honorary secretary) Khojeste Mistree may say.”North Zone
Mhow is "one of the wealthiest and strongest anjumans of our area,” summed up Anklesaria. The Mhow Zoroastrian population which was at its peak of 900 in the 1960s is down to 50 today, mentioned Zal Cowasji, secretary of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman, Mhow. Hoping that they can promote it as a destination for retirement, Cowasji mentioned that although eight to 10 community properties are locked up and lying idle, the present committee is "consolidating properties that are in trouble and trying to put together a corpus that will cover all the needs of all our members.” With regular celebratory gahanbars and dinners, "the happiness quotient of our members has risen,” he added. "We have assets of Rs 60 crores,” mentioned president Cyrus Mancherji.
The community in Indore numbering 140-150 is "positive and has a fairly good name in the city,” stated Anjuman president Bomi Heerjee reporting on the recent renovation of their prayer hall and the construction of priest and manager’s quarters and bungli "thanks to a very generous donation from the Erach and Roshan Sadri Foundation… Roshan belonged to Indore but had lost touch with her homeland after she moved abroad. We are not a rich anjuman but we have no major problems. We are living in good amity.”
The Jabalpur Anjuman donated funds to a Multi Specialty Hospital with a quid pro quo arrangement such that community members in need could avail of medical facilities at a 50 percent concessional rate. Besides repairing the aramgah wall, they donated Rs 1,500 to each of their Zoroastrian school and college going students and gifted Rs 5,000 to every Anjuman member residing in Jabalpur (nearly 35), reported their representative Anahita Desai. They have a dharamshala with five rooms, one of which is air-conditioned.
Under the presidentship of Yezad Kapadia and vice presidentship of Ava Khullar, the "well-knit community” in Delhi numbers 775 members, stated Rustomji. Their Farohar Club is "doing a splendid job” of imparting Zoroastrian values, culture and traditions to the young children. The Anjuman has a beautiful dharamshala with six air-conditioned rooms. "Delhi is disappointed with me,” admitted Anklesaria. To allay their fears that they had lost the post of North Zone vice presidency that they had retained for decades, Anklesaria assured, "Tell Delhi I (am prepared) to step down” if need be at the end of the current term.
Mhow is "one of the wealthiest and strongest anjumans of our area,” summed up Anklesaria. The Mhow Zoroastrian population which was at its peak of 900 in the 1960s is down to 50 today, mentioned Zal Cowasji, secretary of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman, Mhow. Hoping that they can promote it as a destination for retirement, Cowasji mentioned that although eight to 10 community properties are locked up and lying idle, the present committee is "consolidating properties that are in trouble and trying to put together a corpus that will cover all the needs of all our members.” With regular celebratory gahanbars and dinners, "the happiness quotient of our members has risen,” he added. "We have assets of Rs 60 crores,” mentioned president Cyrus Mancherji.
The community in Indore numbering 140-150 is "positive and has a fairly good name in the city,” stated Anjuman president Bomi Heerjee reporting on the recent renovation of their prayer hall and the construction of priest and manager’s quarters and bungli "thanks to a very generous donation from the Erach and Roshan Sadri Foundation… Roshan belonged to Indore but had lost touch with her homeland after she moved abroad. We are not a rich anjuman but we have no major problems. We are living in good amity.”
The Jabalpur Anjuman donated funds to a Multi Specialty Hospital with a quid pro quo arrangement such that community members in need could avail of medical facilities at a 50 percent concessional rate. Besides repairing the aramgah wall, they donated Rs 1,500 to each of their Zoroastrian school and college going students and gifted Rs 5,000 to every Anjuman member residing in Jabalpur (nearly 35), reported their representative Anahita Desai. They have a dharamshala with five rooms, one of which is air-conditioned.
Under the presidentship of Yezad Kapadia and vice presidentship of Ava Khullar, the "well-knit community” in Delhi numbers 775 members, stated Rustomji. Their Farohar Club is "doing a splendid job” of imparting Zoroastrian values, culture and traditions to the young children. The Anjuman has a beautiful dharamshala with six air-conditioned rooms. "Delhi is disappointed with me,” admitted Anklesaria. To allay their fears that they had lost the post of North Zone vice presidency that they had retained for decades, Anklesaria assured, "Tell Delhi I (am prepared) to step down” if need be at the end of the current term.
West Zone A
On their 68-acre plot of land in Lullanagar, the Poona Parsi Panchayat (PPP) has been fighting encroachment on 30,000 sq ft. "The present board of trustees have initiated legal action… will file a writ petition to get a stay order,” said PPP president Farokh Irani who appreciated that Federation president Dinshaw Mehta "went out of his way to come to Poona.” He also commended Dr Cyrus Poonawalla for donating two crore rupees towards the construction of a wall to protect Doongerwadi land. Of the 232 flats the PPP have constructed, eight are lying vacant and they would like to give priority to engaged couples waiting to get married. The Zoroastrian population in Poona is believed to be 10,000-12,000, said Irani. (The Government of India census figures consistently puts the number around 3,000.)
To solve Thana’s land problems their representative Kaizab Billimoria sought the Federation’s assistance as they had received 18 years ago when the Anjuman was facing a problem with its Ahuna building. Since they wanted the Federation’s support to file a public interest litigation regarding encroachment on the Thana Zoroastrian Charity Fund land adjacent to the agiary, Mehta responded that the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustees are facing more than enough legal cases and whilst they would be happy to come and negotiate with Shiv Sena politicians, they did not wish to get involved in any more cases. There are 800 Zoroastrians in Thana and among their activities last year was a trip to four atash behrams, a picnic to Bordi and a free medical camp, said Billimoria.
The Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman (IZA) disbursed Rs 18 lakhs on medical relief, Rs 10,32,000 on education and Rs 5,56,000 on relief of poverty last year, mentioned trustee Pervez Irani. Ninety percent of the beneficiaries are Parsis as "Iranis being big-headed don’t come forward,” he clarified. On an average their 963-acre land in Palghar annually yields about Rs 25 lakhs from the sale of grass but after receiving feelers that the government might acquire the land for its Oil and Natural Gas Commission project "the trustees thought why not sell?” After inviting tenders and deciding on a land deal with Viva Builders for Rs 723 crores which was approved by the president of the Anjuman Mehrwan Irani, the working committee and the general body, the president wanted the trustees to consider an offer from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences that wanted to set up a university on part of the IZA property (see "Line of control,” Parsiana, February 7, 2013). The internal differences surfaced on the floor of the Federation when parts of the correspondence on this matter were circulated to all present. Subjecting himself to a spate of queries and cross-examination, Pervez Irani pointed out that even the BPP had been unable to prevent the construction of the public road that divided Andheri’s B. S. Panthaky Baug into two (The BPP had earlier agreed to the division — editors). "The Iranian Anjuman has saved this land all these years. Leave it to us trustees to decide,” he asserted.
President of the Borivli and Suburban Zoroastrian Association Minoo Khan referred to their jashans and get-togethers that are periodically organized and attended by 80-90 people. They are regular with their newsletter and organized a trip to Navsari to visit the Senior Citizens Homes.
On their 68-acre plot of land in Lullanagar, the Poona Parsi Panchayat (PPP) has been fighting encroachment on 30,000 sq ft. "The present board of trustees have initiated legal action… will file a writ petition to get a stay order,” said PPP president Farokh Irani who appreciated that Federation president Dinshaw Mehta "went out of his way to come to Poona.” He also commended Dr Cyrus Poonawalla for donating two crore rupees towards the construction of a wall to protect Doongerwadi land. Of the 232 flats the PPP have constructed, eight are lying vacant and they would like to give priority to engaged couples waiting to get married. The Zoroastrian population in Poona is believed to be 10,000-12,000, said Irani. (The Government of India census figures consistently puts the number around 3,000.)
To solve Thana’s land problems their representative Kaizab Billimoria sought the Federation’s assistance as they had received 18 years ago when the Anjuman was facing a problem with its Ahuna building. Since they wanted the Federation’s support to file a public interest litigation regarding encroachment on the Thana Zoroastrian Charity Fund land adjacent to the agiary, Mehta responded that the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustees are facing more than enough legal cases and whilst they would be happy to come and negotiate with Shiv Sena politicians, they did not wish to get involved in any more cases. There are 800 Zoroastrians in Thana and among their activities last year was a trip to four atash behrams, a picnic to Bordi and a free medical camp, said Billimoria.
The Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman (IZA) disbursed Rs 18 lakhs on medical relief, Rs 10,32,000 on education and Rs 5,56,000 on relief of poverty last year, mentioned trustee Pervez Irani. Ninety percent of the beneficiaries are Parsis as "Iranis being big-headed don’t come forward,” he clarified. On an average their 963-acre land in Palghar annually yields about Rs 25 lakhs from the sale of grass but after receiving feelers that the government might acquire the land for its Oil and Natural Gas Commission project "the trustees thought why not sell?” After inviting tenders and deciding on a land deal with Viva Builders for Rs 723 crores which was approved by the president of the Anjuman Mehrwan Irani, the working committee and the general body, the president wanted the trustees to consider an offer from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences that wanted to set up a university on part of the IZA property (see "Line of control,” Parsiana, February 7, 2013). The internal differences surfaced on the floor of the Federation when parts of the correspondence on this matter were circulated to all present. Subjecting himself to a spate of queries and cross-examination, Pervez Irani pointed out that even the BPP had been unable to prevent the construction of the public road that divided Andheri’s B. S. Panthaky Baug into two (The BPP had earlier agreed to the division — editors). "The Iranian Anjuman has saved this land all these years. Leave it to us trustees to decide,” he asserted.
President of the Borivli and Suburban Zoroastrian Association Minoo Khan referred to their jashans and get-togethers that are periodically organized and attended by 80-90 people. They are regular with their newsletter and organized a trip to Navsari to visit the Senior Citizens Homes.
Reporting on the 501 strong Zoroastrian component of Nagpur, Shiraz Doongaji announced that there were five marriages, five births, three navjotes and three deaths in the last year. The community was particularly elated that after 40 years there was a navar initiation in the city.
With a membership of 70, Belgaum has a 136-year-old agiary that is managed by a full-time panthaky and a dharamshala managed by an Irani family, conveyed Cdre Medioma Bhada, inviting those passing through to avail of their facilities. "The aramgah regrettably is in a bad shape,” he said whilst acknowledging the "substantial donation” from the Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hong Kong, Canton and Macau that was used for restoration. The repair of the walls is awaiting donations.
Only nine Zarathushtis from two families remain in Badnera-Amravati, stated representative Meher Panthaki. Their 126-year-old agiary was recently repaired with a donation of Rs 1,00,000 from Areez Khambatta, president of the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ).
Dahanu, Bordi and Davier share the maintenance costs of a dakhma, stated Mancher Mubarakai of Dahanu, vice president of West Zone A, who has replaced his father as a trustee. Their income being less than their outgoings, he regretted, "I am removing (funds) from my corpus.” He referred to single, aged individuals in the anjuman for whom he had proposed the building of a home for the aged. The hall there could be used as a meeting place for the community, he felt. When asked the name of his association he said "Dahanu Zoroastrian Anjuman Trust Fund,” and stood corrected by Pervez Irani that it was "Dahanu Road Agiary Trust Fund.” Whilst Dahanu has more Zoroastrian residents than Bordi, Davier is left with 45. The Navajbai Goiporia Agiary in Davier was recently renovated at a cost of Rs 1,66,000, representative Marazban Wadia showed the photos of the Agiary before and after renovation.
West Zone B
There are 1,737 Zoroastrians in Ahmedabad, stated the newly elected president of the Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayat (APP) Brig Jehangir Anklesaria, happy to report that with the exception of four elderly members on their managing committee/trust board, the remaining 11 are relatively young. "We definitely need young blood in all punchayets,” he stressed. Two months ago the Parsi Youth League of Ahmedabad conducted an all-India youth camp and had a reasonably good response. They have three gahanbars in a year and twice a year organize trips to eight atash behrams when at least 50-60 happily participate. For poverty amelioration the Panchayat expends five-six lakh rupees, for educational causes, six to seven lakhs, and for medical assistance, 11 lakhs.
"All our immovable assets are getting old and need extensive repairs. We are finding it difficult and trying to make ends meet.” Anklesaria regretted that 15 houses are lying vacant but locked because families refuse to surrender them in the expectation that the next generation will use them once they get married and live separately. He was wondering whether the Federation could seek a court ruling in favor of punchayets so that community property does not lie idle. As explained Mehta, the only recourse is to file individual legal suits against the defaulters.
The 2.5 km boundary wall of their Doongerwadi is in a bad shape with bricks falling apart and the estimated cost of rebuilding a 10 ft high wall is Rs 31 lakhs. The solar concentrator too needs funds for repairs. He referred to a recent case when only one priest being available to recite prayers for the dead, he stood alongside a dog. "If we don’t look after our mobed community today we will have a recording being played when a person dies,” he forewarned.
"We have no problems, no jhagda (fights). We are managing our trust very well,” mentioned Cama reporting on Vadodara. Around 1,000 Parsis reside there with a youth wing, Baroda United Zoroastrian Youth (BUZY) that is fairly active. They have a reasonable corpus yielding an income of 12-13 lakh rupees that is used for amelioration. There are two agiaries in Vadodara.
The Valsad Anjuman distributed Rs 25 lakhs during the year as medical and educational support, mentioned representative Sam Chothia. Their permanent assets include 60 flats for the poor. There are two agiaries and a Tower of Silence in Valsad. When asked regarding the status of the Tithal Sanatorium land, Chothia responded that there has been no further encroachment in the last two years.
In Vesu are 12-15 Parsis of whom three or four are economically disadvantaged, stated representative Keki Lakdawala.
Around 70 Parsis remain in Udvada of whom 60 are above the age of 70 years, mentioned Dastur Khurshed Dastoor. They are governed by a nine-member committee, of whom seven represent the Athornan Anjuman and two the Samast Anjuman, that is elected every five years. The two High Priests are the ex officio members on this committee. Every year the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York sends them a donation of five to six lakh rupees for the amelioration of mobeds. Recently their Sodawaterwalla Dharamshala was repaired. They have 12 rooms and charge only Rs 600 for boarding and lodging. Their Damanwalla Dispensary attended by Dr Shirin Shroff offers free medical aid to Parsis and at a nominal rate to non-Parsis. In response to a query regarding the Gymkhana that is lying in a state of neglect, Dastoor stated that since all the trustees are deceased the Anjuman is trying to ensure the Gymkhana land remains for community use.
There is a dakhma in Udvada and when a body needs to be consigned, they get volunteers from Daman and Vapi. As per their practice, in case of any death in Udvada there are no prayer charges for the first four days. Udvada has yet not been given heritage status because of a conflict between the state and central government. As per the norms laid by the Udvada Area Development Authority (UADA), the Gram Panchayat cannot give permission for any new construction in the area without consulting UADA.
After giving a detailed account of land held in Nargol and the surrounding areas by leading Parsi families, Farroakh Govadia simply stated, "Aa baddhi jagaa goomavéli chhé (the community has lost all this land). In Talasari taluka, 85 percent of the lands were in the hands of Parsis.” The present Zoroastrian population in Nargol numbers less than 45, practically all of whom are old.
Saronda has 25 Parsi houses with a floating population of 40 Zoroastrians, reported Ervad Yezdi Panthaki. They have to put in "a lot of work to keep intact” their corpus of Rs 50 lakhs, the income from which is used to maintain their 107-year-old fire temple plus pay the salary of the panthaky who looks after their agiary and goes to Nargol twice a day to tend to the fire there, and organize a free gahanbar.
When Khushman Tamboli of Rajkot was finally given a chance to speak he complained about "unwarranted treatment” by the chair and of the correction he sought to the minutes for which he had distributed a xerox sheet to all those present. When Mehta ruled, "I will not allow you under Rule 10… I am tired of your tantrums,” Tamboli retorted, "You cannot do dadagiri (browbeat others into submission)… Why was my name removed from the Scheme (of Administration)?” he shouted into the mike. The day prior he had alleged that Katpitia "has been handling Rajkot matters for the last 15 years but they won’t even know how many graveyards are there.”
When Mehta pointed out that his behavior was "out of order,” Tamboli retorted, "I will be damn out of order.” Mehta announced that Khambatta had insinuated that there would be disruptions at the meeting (Tamboli’s sister is married to Khambatta’s son). WAPIZ spokesperson Tannaz Parakh representing Khergam spoke up, "There would be no shouting if truth prevailed.”
On the second day when Parakh was asked to give a report on the Khergam anjuman she declined to do so "in protest against the extreme high-handedness” of Mehta who earlier in the morning had prevented her from speaking on the grounds that when a Khergam resident is present, there was no reason for her to speak as a Khergam representative. "I do not ever wish to address this kind of a chair,” remarked Parakh assuring that all their comments would be put down in writing.
There are 120 Zoroastrians in Vyara-Songadh with fixed assets including an agiary, a hall and a dakhma. They had two weddings last year. Their hall that is hired by other communities too yields an annual income of Rs 1,50,000. To ward off encroachment on their land they built a wall and started growing bawal so that they don’t have to incur an annual expenditure of nearly Rs 35,000 on kathi. They have now started work on the construction of a bungli. On their Pateti function each year they invite local dignitaries like the collector and Deputy Superintendent of Police, reported Persi Buhariwala which Mehta commended as a "very diplomatic move.”
There are 1,737 Zoroastrians in Ahmedabad, stated the newly elected president of the Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayat (APP) Brig Jehangir Anklesaria, happy to report that with the exception of four elderly members on their managing committee/trust board, the remaining 11 are relatively young. "We definitely need young blood in all punchayets,” he stressed. Two months ago the Parsi Youth League of Ahmedabad conducted an all-India youth camp and had a reasonably good response. They have three gahanbars in a year and twice a year organize trips to eight atash behrams when at least 50-60 happily participate. For poverty amelioration the Panchayat expends five-six lakh rupees, for educational causes, six to seven lakhs, and for medical assistance, 11 lakhs.
"All our immovable assets are getting old and need extensive repairs. We are finding it difficult and trying to make ends meet.” Anklesaria regretted that 15 houses are lying vacant but locked because families refuse to surrender them in the expectation that the next generation will use them once they get married and live separately. He was wondering whether the Federation could seek a court ruling in favor of punchayets so that community property does not lie idle. As explained Mehta, the only recourse is to file individual legal suits against the defaulters.
The 2.5 km boundary wall of their Doongerwadi is in a bad shape with bricks falling apart and the estimated cost of rebuilding a 10 ft high wall is Rs 31 lakhs. The solar concentrator too needs funds for repairs. He referred to a recent case when only one priest being available to recite prayers for the dead, he stood alongside a dog. "If we don’t look after our mobed community today we will have a recording being played when a person dies,” he forewarned.
"We have no problems, no jhagda (fights). We are managing our trust very well,” mentioned Cama reporting on Vadodara. Around 1,000 Parsis reside there with a youth wing, Baroda United Zoroastrian Youth (BUZY) that is fairly active. They have a reasonable corpus yielding an income of 12-13 lakh rupees that is used for amelioration. There are two agiaries in Vadodara.
The Valsad Anjuman distributed Rs 25 lakhs during the year as medical and educational support, mentioned representative Sam Chothia. Their permanent assets include 60 flats for the poor. There are two agiaries and a Tower of Silence in Valsad. When asked regarding the status of the Tithal Sanatorium land, Chothia responded that there has been no further encroachment in the last two years.
In Vesu are 12-15 Parsis of whom three or four are economically disadvantaged, stated representative Keki Lakdawala.
Around 70 Parsis remain in Udvada of whom 60 are above the age of 70 years, mentioned Dastur Khurshed Dastoor. They are governed by a nine-member committee, of whom seven represent the Athornan Anjuman and two the Samast Anjuman, that is elected every five years. The two High Priests are the ex officio members on this committee. Every year the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York sends them a donation of five to six lakh rupees for the amelioration of mobeds. Recently their Sodawaterwalla Dharamshala was repaired. They have 12 rooms and charge only Rs 600 for boarding and lodging. Their Damanwalla Dispensary attended by Dr Shirin Shroff offers free medical aid to Parsis and at a nominal rate to non-Parsis. In response to a query regarding the Gymkhana that is lying in a state of neglect, Dastoor stated that since all the trustees are deceased the Anjuman is trying to ensure the Gymkhana land remains for community use.
There is a dakhma in Udvada and when a body needs to be consigned, they get volunteers from Daman and Vapi. As per their practice, in case of any death in Udvada there are no prayer charges for the first four days. Udvada has yet not been given heritage status because of a conflict between the state and central government. As per the norms laid by the Udvada Area Development Authority (UADA), the Gram Panchayat cannot give permission for any new construction in the area without consulting UADA.
After giving a detailed account of land held in Nargol and the surrounding areas by leading Parsi families, Farroakh Govadia simply stated, "Aa baddhi jagaa goomavéli chhé (the community has lost all this land). In Talasari taluka, 85 percent of the lands were in the hands of Parsis.” The present Zoroastrian population in Nargol numbers less than 45, practically all of whom are old.
Saronda has 25 Parsi houses with a floating population of 40 Zoroastrians, reported Ervad Yezdi Panthaki. They have to put in "a lot of work to keep intact” their corpus of Rs 50 lakhs, the income from which is used to maintain their 107-year-old fire temple plus pay the salary of the panthaky who looks after their agiary and goes to Nargol twice a day to tend to the fire there, and organize a free gahanbar.
When Khushman Tamboli of Rajkot was finally given a chance to speak he complained about "unwarranted treatment” by the chair and of the correction he sought to the minutes for which he had distributed a xerox sheet to all those present. When Mehta ruled, "I will not allow you under Rule 10… I am tired of your tantrums,” Tamboli retorted, "You cannot do dadagiri (browbeat others into submission)… Why was my name removed from the Scheme (of Administration)?” he shouted into the mike. The day prior he had alleged that Katpitia "has been handling Rajkot matters for the last 15 years but they won’t even know how many graveyards are there.”
When Mehta pointed out that his behavior was "out of order,” Tamboli retorted, "I will be damn out of order.” Mehta announced that Khambatta had insinuated that there would be disruptions at the meeting (Tamboli’s sister is married to Khambatta’s son). WAPIZ spokesperson Tannaz Parakh representing Khergam spoke up, "There would be no shouting if truth prevailed.”
On the second day when Parakh was asked to give a report on the Khergam anjuman she declined to do so "in protest against the extreme high-handedness” of Mehta who earlier in the morning had prevented her from speaking on the grounds that when a Khergam resident is present, there was no reason for her to speak as a Khergam representative. "I do not ever wish to address this kind of a chair,” remarked Parakh assuring that all their comments would be put down in writing.
There are 120 Zoroastrians in Vyara-Songadh with fixed assets including an agiary, a hall and a dakhma. They had two weddings last year. Their hall that is hired by other communities too yields an annual income of Rs 1,50,000. To ward off encroachment on their land they built a wall and started growing bawal so that they don’t have to incur an annual expenditure of nearly Rs 35,000 on kathi. They have now started work on the construction of a bungli. On their Pateti function each year they invite local dignitaries like the collector and Deputy Superintendent of Police, reported Persi Buhariwala which Mehta commended as a "very diplomatic move.”
East Zone
The only anjuman represented from the East Zone was Calcutta with its former resident Cmdre Jal Postwalla giving details of their community of 622 members.Forty-seven percent of them are aged over 60, and 83 couples have a non-Zoroastrian spouse. Their funds are used for welfare assistance and reimbursement of medical, educational and house rent expenses. "For senior citizens who have no family members to look after them, the anjuman has arranged for two full-time caregivers” and they will soon hire two part-time helpers too. The bus and the car gifted to the anjuman is used to ferry senior citizens and those physically challenged to the Parsi Club and other community functions. Their charity clinic "offers free consultation and medicine six days a week.” They even offer "free legal advice” to their members on issues like Rent Act, power of attorney, etc. They have three residential conclaves with all 45 flats occupied and not a single one lying locked. "The trustees do not interfere in the working of the adaran,” leaving the priests to decide on religious issues.
The only anjuman represented from the East Zone was Calcutta with its former resident Cmdre Jal Postwalla giving details of their community of 622 members.Forty-seven percent of them are aged over 60, and 83 couples have a non-Zoroastrian spouse. Their funds are used for welfare assistance and reimbursement of medical, educational and house rent expenses. "For senior citizens who have no family members to look after them, the anjuman has arranged for two full-time caregivers” and they will soon hire two part-time helpers too. The bus and the car gifted to the anjuman is used to ferry senior citizens and those physically challenged to the Parsi Club and other community functions. Their charity clinic "offers free consultation and medicine six days a week.” They even offer "free legal advice” to their members on issues like Rent Act, power of attorney, etc. They have three residential conclaves with all 45 flats occupied and not a single one lying locked. "The trustees do not interfere in the working of the adaran,” leaving the priests to decide on religious issues.
South Zone
Visakhapatnam, the only anjuman from the South Zone at this Federation meeting, is left with only five Zoroastrian adults from two families, mentioned Dinyar Nakra introducing himself as the first secretary and treasurer of the Anjuman in the 1960s when there used to be 18 families. They have no agiary and their aramgah with 12 Parsi graves lying within the Hindu burial ground is in very good condition and is looked after by the municipality. The last two Parsis who died there "were consigned to the electric crematorium and not aramgah,” he added. In a population of 48 lakhs, many of whom have connections with the Indian Navy, there is a dearth of Parsis for whom there are "excellent business opportunities,” he suggested.
Visakhapatnam, the only anjuman from the South Zone at this Federation meeting, is left with only five Zoroastrian adults from two families, mentioned Dinyar Nakra introducing himself as the first secretary and treasurer of the Anjuman in the 1960s when there used to be 18 families. They have no agiary and their aramgah with 12 Parsi graves lying within the Hindu burial ground is in very good condition and is looked after by the municipality. The last two Parsis who died there "were consigned to the electric crematorium and not aramgah,” he added. In a population of 48 lakhs, many of whom have connections with the Indian Navy, there is a dearth of Parsis for whom there are "excellent business opportunities,” he suggested.
The final instalment of the report will appear in the next issue of Parsiana.
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From the archive