The prayer hall trust

The prayer hall trust
Since facilities at public crematoria in the city are far from satisfactory, it is imperative that a well constructed, properly maintained and conveniently located prayer hall attached to a crematorium be created for members of the community, writes Dinshaw Tamboly, chairman of The Prayer Hall Trust (PHT), in an appeal to the community for funds toward this end. With a suitable response, the hall should be commissioned in 12 to 15 months time, Tamboly notes.
Tamboly reveals that after protracted discussions the Bombay Municipal Corporation has agreed to let the PHT build and donate a hall on a plot of land within the existing cemetery/crematorium complex on E. Moses Road at Worli (opposite the Four Seasons Hotel) and the PHT has already executed a memorandum of understanding for the hall. The PHT has also been registered with the Charity Commissioner, Bombay. The Trust will construct the hall and hand it over free of cost to the city of Bombay.
The proposed prayer hall will be an L-shaped structure with a built up area of around 3,700 sq ft with two halls, which can be used as one large hall or partitioned and used as separate halls when required concurrently for two funerals. As per municipal rules, all prayer halls have to be open to all faiths, not just to Zoroastrians. However, Tamboly writes, at the request of the PHT the authorities have agreed that preference will be given in perpetuity to Zoroastrians for funerals and other four-day prayers held between 4 a.m. to 6 a.m., 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Zoroastrians may use the facility whether the cremation has taken place at the attached crematorium or elsewhere in the city. There will be no provision for residential accommodation but there will be a room for sachkar and the design will be similar to that of a bungli at Doongerwadi.
The total cost of the construction of the building, with a small green area around the structure and pathways between the plot and the crematorium is estimated to be approximately Rs 1.35 crores.
Tamboly shares that they are in the process of setting up a second trust, to be called The Prayer Hall Services and Maintenance Trust (PHSMT), which will assist families of deceased Zoroastrians in making arrangements for a hearse, priests, flowers, etc. A 24-hour telephone helpline is also envisaged. A corpus fund of Rs 35 to Rs 40 lakhs would be ideal for this purpose, the income from which will facilitate ongoing expenditures for obsequial services to Zoroastrians. Together, the PHT and PHSMT will require funding to the tune of Rs 1.75 crore.
Both the Trusts will be managed by a common board of trustees, who at present are Dinshaw Tamboly, Karl F. Tamboly, Fali P. Sarkari, Keki M. Elavia, Sarosh E. Bharucha and Farzana D. Mojgani. The press release mentions that commitments for donations have already been received from various community members who feel that construction of such a prayer hall has been long overdue. The trustees urge the community to come forward to support this initiative. Donations may be sent to The Prayer Hall Trust, C/o Seven Seas Securities Private Limited, Shanti, 5th Floor, 6 Banaji Street, Fort, Bombay 400001, India. Tel: 91-22-22813718/19, 22810560; email: prayerhalltrust@gmail.com
Since both the PHT and PHSMT are for religious purposes, donations will not qualify for deduction under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, nor will it be possible to seek registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act 1976 which enables trusts to receive funds from overseas. Well-wishers and supporters living abroad will have to make arrangements to support this initiative by arranging for donations through their bank accounts in India or via relatives/friends residing in India.
"With vultures having vanished from the Bombay skies, the present system of dakhmenashini has weakened considerably” and many individuals are opting for alternative methods of disposal, mainly cremation. However, explained Tamboly, the use of the bunglis at Doongerwadi is not permitted by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet for performing the last rites or prayers for the deceased in such cases.
In a survey of the community conducted by Parsiana as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, on being asked about preference for disposal of the dead, 67% opted for dakhmenashini, 28% for cremation, two percent for burial and three persons listed "no response.” However, 79% favored prayers be recited for those opting for cremation with 80% supporting the "provision” of a bungli for those choosing cremation.