“Coping with change”

We wish to make certain clarifications regarding the article "Coping with change,” (Parsiana, March 7, 2015) about the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman (IZA).
In the article it is stated that the IZA has "eight trustees; in contrast the Bombay Parsi Punchayet has only seven trustees.” The IZA too has seven trustees. It is wrongly mentioned that Gaiv Irani is IZA president and Khodadad Irani is only a trustee, Pervez Irani is committee member and Hemavand Namdarian, who is actually a committee member, is a trustee.
The actual posts are: president, Khodadad Phirozsha Irani; vice presidents, Dara Fardoonji Devlaliwalla, Gaiv Dinshaw Irani, Sarosh Rustom Irani and Parvez Shahpur Irani; other trustees, Viraf Dinshaw Irani and Jasmine Niruman Bastani.
We further clarify that the notice to the Charity Commissioner, Bombay was from the Collector’s office and not from the ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) in the context of "not to do anything with the IZA land until they give their consent.”
The IZA does not subscribe to the following views expressed in the article: "The return of the dictatorial Ayotallah Ruhollah Khomeini” and "This today is the problem with the monetary and other sanctions imposed on Iran because of its nuclear development program and support to terrorist groups” with regard to observing Iranian and Indian laws.
KHODADAD P. IRANI
President and trustee, Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman

The editors reply:
The Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman (IZA) souvenir 2014 and annual report for the financial year 2012-2013 had under the title "Trustees” listed eight names, hence Parsiana assumed there were eight trustees. Next to the name of one of the trustees is a note "expired on 19-9-2013.” But nowhere is there mention of the date of joining of a new trustee. Hence the error.
The opening paragraph of the article introduces Gaiv Irani as an "IZA trustee.” The next sentence states "Gaiv, IZA president, trustee Khodadad Irani…” The president-trustee label referred to Khodadad, as Gaiv had already been introduced as a trustee.
We have referred to Parvez Irani as a trustee and not as a committee member anywhere in the article. We however inadvertently named Hemavand Namdarian as a trustee and apologize for the error.
Our notes during the course of the interview show one of the trustees as stating: "ONGC gave notice to the Charity Commissioner not to do anything until we get clearance.” However it is possible that in the nearly hour long discussion this point may or may not have been clarified subsequently. We regret the error.
The remarks pertaining to Khomeini and the sanctions, etc are Parsiana’s and have not been attributed to the Anjuman or the trustees.
The tone and tenor of the article "Coping with change” (Parsiana, March 7, 2015) on the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman (IZA) struck one as being condescending, especially the last sentence which falsely claims that most Iranis, being related, are genetically deficient. Parsis are supposedly genetically superior by virtue of coexistence and mingling (official or otherwise) in the Indian milieu for over a thousand years with the patriarchal system confirming and continuing thus.
True, the Iranis were befuddled by the new ways in colonial India. From 1840 onwards they came in small groups from distant villages in Iran prompted by the desire to better their lives. They worked hard and the offspring of these early settlers are today embedded in the rich tapestry of modern India. Agreed that the farming community is insular, but so are certain athornan families.
Parsiana regularly quotes Dr Kaikhosrov Irani of New York, whose brother gave a princely sum of Rs 10 crores to the Bombay Parsi Punchayet a few years ago, and hails from an Irani family which includes the likes of Jamshed Irani, OBE (Order of the British Empire), of Tata Steel, and many other distinguished professionals.
Iranis deserve to be part and parcel of the Zoroastrian community and are certainly not all related.
I still devour your magazine with fervor and look forward to reading your next issue. HOMI IRANI
hjirani@gmail.com

The editors reply:
Nowhere in the article is there any reference to genetics. Most Parsis are also related, so the question of superiority does not arise.