Editorial Viewpoint
Compare and contrast
If the organizers of the 10th World Zoroastrian Congress (10WZC) wanted to learn how to manage a successful meet they had only to attend a K. R. Cama Oriental Institute seminar. The January 11 and 12, 2014 two-day meet on "Trading circuits, mobile cultures: Port cities and littoral societies of the Indian Ocean,” proved a text book model of how such events should be run. To begin with the seminar was reasonably priced at Rs 1,000 per head with a box lunch (prepared by gourmet chef Shirin Adenwalla) with tea and biscuits served twice. The audience included students who paid only Rs 200 and naval cadets. The proceedings ran with clockwork precision. No speaker was told to curtail the time originally allotted to them. Those chairing the proceedings ensured the session ended on time. When in one session speakers exceeded their time limit, the question answer session was aborted, with the audience advised to talk to the presenters during the break. Neither the intermission nor the next session was delayed.
Speakers who were experts in the field had been selected and each given around 20 to 25 minutes to present their papers. Papers had been submitted to the organizers prior to the seminar. Instead of reading out their papers, the academics spoke extempore or referred to notes or read only portions (such as quotes) of their text. Several speakers used Power Point presentations to thankfully only display photographs/illustrations rather than text. Thus even lay, non-academic delegates came away with knowledge: The Silk Route constituted several routes, cowrie shells were used for currency, many European poor were abandoned in India, indentured labor from east India was lured to the West Indies to work on the plantations, the influence of African music and instruments continues in certain Gujarat settlements, the legendary Sinbad was not a sailor but a merchant, and following a session on "Pirates, rowdies and vagrants,” Parsiana came to learn from talking to a few scholars that Parsi pirates existed (we are researching the subject)!
A day before the 10WZC on December 26, 2013, the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) held their annual general meeting, panel discussion and awards function at a five star hotel in Bombay. Here also everything ran on time, the speakers spoke on the topics assigned. There was no charge for WZCC members for the morning and afternoon tea and lunch. For the awards night dinner function the fee levied was Rs 1,500 for a member and Rs 2,500 if the spouse joined.
Five days after the Congress, the informal Global Working Group (GWG) consisting of representatives from various countries met in Dadar. By then the Iranian delegate had already left. As usual the Parsi Press was not permitted to attend though from all reports, not much was missed.
The GWG came into being because the traditionalists, including the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ) and their sympathizers, did not want a world body. Their purported fear: plane loads of converts to Zoroastrianism would descend on Bombay to usurp community baugs and fire temples! At a Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India meet in Bombay some years back when a proposal was put forth to print a letterhead for the body, the suggestion was turned down lest it lend legitimacy to the alliance!
Thus after 10 world congresses, the international Zoroastrian community does not have a representative international body. A handful of individuals have succeeded in thwarting the desire of the global community. While Parsis pride themselves on being an enlightened, educated, progressive community, many still retain a parochial outlook.
The GWG formally assigned the 2017 WZC to Singapore. Iran and Australia also made a pitch to host the meet but as the 10WZC had been snatched from Singapore, amends had to be made. The reportedly 60 kg symbolic torch of the Congress however will not be taken to Singapore. A smaller, lighter replica will replace it. The weighty symbol was wisely placed on a pedestal at the conclusion of the 10WZC and not physically handed over as it was in Dubai.
The Parsi Zoroastrian Association of Singapore and neighboring regions will partake in the hosting/planning/coordination of the event.
Some Parsiana readers lament the coverage and countenance given to Bombay and the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP). But due to the obstinacy of the Bombay Parsis, no world body has been formed and even the hosting of the 10WZC was put in jeopardy. Two weeks after the Congress, the trustees were before the Charity Commissioner disputing a stay on alienation of any BPP property. While the "status quo” order is in force the BPP cannot part with possession of flats ready for allotment. Since the trust’s main source of income is from transfer of property, their income is considerably affected.
The fault lies not only with the trustees and the electorate that placed them in office but also the absence of a mediating community body that can help resolve disputes. A think tank is also essential to anticipate developments, plan for the future. The dwindling Parsi population requires an action plan to be drawn on how to cope with this reality. One can’t wish it away or deny the numbers are diminishing. At the national level the country has seen the emergence of the Aam Admi Party (AAP) striving for a new public order. The community had its AAP moment in 1981 when the Committee for Electoral Rights was formed. What the Parsis need now is a reemergence of such an initiative.
Speakers who were experts in the field had been selected and each given around 20 to 25 minutes to present their papers. Papers had been submitted to the organizers prior to the seminar. Instead of reading out their papers, the academics spoke extempore or referred to notes or read only portions (such as quotes) of their text. Several speakers used Power Point presentations to thankfully only display photographs/illustrations rather than text. Thus even lay, non-academic delegates came away with knowledge: The Silk Route constituted several routes, cowrie shells were used for currency, many European poor were abandoned in India, indentured labor from east India was lured to the West Indies to work on the plantations, the influence of African music and instruments continues in certain Gujarat settlements, the legendary Sinbad was not a sailor but a merchant, and following a session on "Pirates, rowdies and vagrants,” Parsiana came to learn from talking to a few scholars that Parsi pirates existed (we are researching the subject)!
A day before the 10WZC on December 26, 2013, the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) held their annual general meeting, panel discussion and awards function at a five star hotel in Bombay. Here also everything ran on time, the speakers spoke on the topics assigned. There was no charge for WZCC members for the morning and afternoon tea and lunch. For the awards night dinner function the fee levied was Rs 1,500 for a member and Rs 2,500 if the spouse joined.
Five days after the Congress, the informal Global Working Group (GWG) consisting of representatives from various countries met in Dadar. By then the Iranian delegate had already left. As usual the Parsi Press was not permitted to attend though from all reports, not much was missed.
The GWG came into being because the traditionalists, including the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ) and their sympathizers, did not want a world body. Their purported fear: plane loads of converts to Zoroastrianism would descend on Bombay to usurp community baugs and fire temples! At a Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India meet in Bombay some years back when a proposal was put forth to print a letterhead for the body, the suggestion was turned down lest it lend legitimacy to the alliance!
Thus after 10 world congresses, the international Zoroastrian community does not have a representative international body. A handful of individuals have succeeded in thwarting the desire of the global community. While Parsis pride themselves on being an enlightened, educated, progressive community, many still retain a parochial outlook.
The GWG formally assigned the 2017 WZC to Singapore. Iran and Australia also made a pitch to host the meet but as the 10WZC had been snatched from Singapore, amends had to be made. The reportedly 60 kg symbolic torch of the Congress however will not be taken to Singapore. A smaller, lighter replica will replace it. The weighty symbol was wisely placed on a pedestal at the conclusion of the 10WZC and not physically handed over as it was in Dubai.
The Parsi Zoroastrian Association of Singapore and neighboring regions will partake in the hosting/planning/coordination of the event.
Some Parsiana readers lament the coverage and countenance given to Bombay and the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP). But due to the obstinacy of the Bombay Parsis, no world body has been formed and even the hosting of the 10WZC was put in jeopardy. Two weeks after the Congress, the trustees were before the Charity Commissioner disputing a stay on alienation of any BPP property. While the "status quo” order is in force the BPP cannot part with possession of flats ready for allotment. Since the trust’s main source of income is from transfer of property, their income is considerably affected.
The fault lies not only with the trustees and the electorate that placed them in office but also the absence of a mediating community body that can help resolve disputes. A think tank is also essential to anticipate developments, plan for the future. The dwindling Parsi population requires an action plan to be drawn on how to cope with this reality. One can’t wish it away or deny the numbers are diminishing. At the national level the country has seen the emergence of the Aam Admi Party (AAP) striving for a new public order. The community had its AAP moment in 1981 when the Committee for Electoral Rights was formed. What the Parsis need now is a reemergence of such an initiative.
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