Readers' Forum
Fellowship and feasting
I have attended three World Zoroastrian Congresses (WZC) — 1985 and 1990 in Bombay and 2009 at Dubai. These Congresses are good for fellowship, food and feasting. Unfortunately, there is no follow-up. Papers are presented and souvenirs printed but no action taken on them. At the last Congress in 2009 Sam Balsara of Madison Communications presented an excellent blueprint for the future. But there was no follow-up action.
Even at several meetings of the Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India (FPZAI) which I had attended as a press representative I found that some speakers do most of the talking more to impress than to express. They speak out of turn and those who wait patiently do not get a chance to air their views. Each time the FPZAI claims to have had a free and frank and fair discussion.
The registration fee for the 10WZC is Rs 9,000 per delegate, so it is not free. A suggestion was made in the Press to have video conference facility and allow those interested to assemble at another venue such as the Birla Auditorium and watch the proceedings or participate without the food and entertainment component. But there was no response.
I recall one eminent speaker at an earlier WZC in Bombay saying it is not necessary to wear the sudreh, though it is good for identity just like a passport. The chairman of the session controls the proceedings. Even a sitting Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustee Eruch Desai was stopped from giving his views. (Desai spoke but a dispute arose whether he had exceeded his time limit. He had not. — editors). Ervad (Dr) Peshotan Peer wanted to speak. He was told publicly by the then BPP chairman that he may do so at the next WZC.
In our community we have many eminent individuals but lack leadership, direction. We need men and women who are committed, sincere, willing to volunteer time, energy and money for the progress and welfare of the community.
MARZBAN GIARA
marzbang@gmail.com
Even at several meetings of the Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India (FPZAI) which I had attended as a press representative I found that some speakers do most of the talking more to impress than to express. They speak out of turn and those who wait patiently do not get a chance to air their views. Each time the FPZAI claims to have had a free and frank and fair discussion.
The registration fee for the 10WZC is Rs 9,000 per delegate, so it is not free. A suggestion was made in the Press to have video conference facility and allow those interested to assemble at another venue such as the Birla Auditorium and watch the proceedings or participate without the food and entertainment component. But there was no response.
I recall one eminent speaker at an earlier WZC in Bombay saying it is not necessary to wear the sudreh, though it is good for identity just like a passport. The chairman of the session controls the proceedings. Even a sitting Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustee Eruch Desai was stopped from giving his views. (Desai spoke but a dispute arose whether he had exceeded his time limit. He had not. — editors). Ervad (Dr) Peshotan Peer wanted to speak. He was told publicly by the then BPP chairman that he may do so at the next WZC.
In our community we have many eminent individuals but lack leadership, direction. We need men and women who are committed, sincere, willing to volunteer time, energy and money for the progress and welfare of the community.
MARZBAN GIARA
marzbang@gmail.com
What I have been reading from your editorial columns, plus items from other sources and emails concerning the 10WZC shambles, leaves me quite aghast, especially since Bombay had deviously diverted Singapore’s rightful bid to host this quadrennial gathering, the 10WZC.
It bears out my earlier suspicions that the Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustees, including the two WAPIZ (World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis) founder trustees, never were well intentioned towards the world-wide scattered communities, but solely to aggrandize their own selves. It is a disgrace, and it is deplorable. Fortunately, some beneficently purposeful persons took charge, albeit at the last moment.
It bears out my earlier suspicions that the Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustees, including the two WAPIZ (World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis) founder trustees, never were well intentioned towards the world-wide scattered communities, but solely to aggrandize their own selves. It is a disgrace, and it is deplorable. Fortunately, some beneficently purposeful persons took charge, albeit at the last moment.
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