“Tombs that tell a tale”

"An eagerly awaited trip to Burma made in February 2014 which lasted a month, offered in addition to the many real delights of Burma, the extra dimension of a search for the ‘last’ Burmese Zoroastrian,” states the introduction to the article "The Last Zoroastrian in Burma” by Shahin Bekhradnia in Hamazor, Issue 2, 2014, the quarterly publication of the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO).
Whilst she was unable to establish contact with Jamshed JEE JEE Bhoy or his mother who she was told were serving a 12-year prison sentence for being allegedly involved in property selling scams and financial impropriety with a Chinese partner, Bekhradnia was able to connect with their English speaking neighbor. Her source though contradicted some of the information carried in "Tombs that tell a tale” (Zoroastrians Abroad, Parsiana, March 7, 2014) based on Mitra Sharafi’s interaction with Jamshed.

Jamshed and Boma JEE JEE Bhoy

Photos: Mitra Sharafi

Jamshed’s mother Boma was not a Parsi but a Burmese Hindu, learnt Bekhradnia. After the passing away of Boma’s husband Framroze, her mother-in-law Bapsi and son Jamshed would allegedly mistreat the woman, compelling her to turn to her neighbors for food and comfort, claimed the neighbor. Following Bapsi’s demise, Jamshed allegedly frittered away the Parsi assets. Married to a local Burmese lady, they have a four-year-old daughter, both of whom continue to reside in the flat which is in the name of Jamshed’s grandfather Keki. All other assets accumulated by Jamshed have reportedly been seized, said the neighbor.
Although Bekhradnia’s report suggests that Jamshed is now missing from prison and there is no knowledge of his whereabouts, it appears that he has seen the March 7, 2014 issue of Parsiana where he is featured for his last handwritten letter to the editor, dated April 28, requests for more copies of the same issue. This letter was not a copy of the previous two letters though it continues in a similar vein: "I will like you to write about me more in your Parsiana book and some more… With this letter I have send my photo and new burial photos (there were no enclosures — editors).” He further sought the address of the Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hongkong and the WZO contact in Delhi, Dadi Mistry. This time his signature was not accompanied by a rubber stamp "Managing Trustee — For The Parsee Fire Temple & Burial Ground Trusts.”
Concludes Bekhradnia, "Though there are many (of interfaith marriages) living in Myanmar (as Burma is now known) they are not Zoroastrians, being either Christians or Buddhists. Sadly this seems to be the end of the road for the Parsis of Burma — an ignominious end and unworthy for a Zoroastrian community.”