Digital library launched

Part of the Ilm-e-Khshnoom literature is now available online at the Frashogard blog (www.frashogard.com). The process of digitalizing the material was started three years ago as it was not readily available. A DVD from the Ilm-e-Khshnoom Digital Library Project launched last year was presented to the community on July 7, 2014 during the 87th baj of Ustad Saheb Behramshah Nowroji Shroff. The baj ceremony and jashan were performed at the Dar-e-Meher named after Shroff at Behram Baug, Jogeshwari by trustees of the Zoroastrian Radih Society, Parsiana was informed via email by its panthaky, Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram.

(Clockwise from top): Ervad Marzban Hathiram; Neville Joshi felicitated by Aspi Tavadia;

CD; humbandagi; Ustad Saheb Behramshah Shroff Dar-e-Meher

The venue shifted to Cama Baug’s small otla that evening where after a jashan nearly 100 Parsis congregated despite the rains to hear Aspi Tavadia who informed them that the work of the Ilm-e-Khshnoom Felavnari Committee continues even in the absence of Dastur Kaikhushroo Navroze Dastur Meherjirana who was in Navsari and unable to attend the function due to ill health and Adi Doctor who was recuperating after a stay in hospital. Hathiram, who also edits the Frashogard blog spoke about the software specially developed for the Digital Library which comprises English and Gujarati books, the Parsi Avaz periodical, articles in English and Gujarati as well as indexes. Using a projector he demonstrated how each and every word ever written on Ilm-e-Khshnoom had been scanned, cataloged, indexed and saved on the DVD whose price has been pegged at an affordable Rs100. The DVD will be available shortly at leading agiaries, sandalwood shops, the Parsiana Book Club and elsewhere in Bombay.
The principal volunteer who had spent nearly five years scanning and indexing this literature running into over 65,000 pages and shy of publicity is Neville Joshi. He received a standing ovation and a shawl from Tavadia.
Hathiram delivered a lecture based on the story of Rustam and Sohrab. A humbandagi and dua (good wishes) from the speaker for the onward progress of the soul of Ustad Saheb Behramshah Shroff concluded the event.