Be “better, not bitter”

"Let us have courage, confidence and consultations rather than fears, conflicts and controversies. Let us make ourselves better, not bitter,” exhorted Ervad Vispi Dastur, president of the Iran League (IL) in his welcome speech at the League’s annual day celebrations on April 18, 2015 at Cama Baug’s big otla. Sharing his optimistic view of the Parsi Irani community, he stated that he was confident that "our youth who are the real trustees of posterity,” will prove their mettle in the years to come.

Thirty trophies and 320 prizes were distributed to Zoroastrian children who had won various competitions conducted by the IL during the course of the preceding year. The evening commenced with a jashan performed by Ervad Keki Ravji, panthaky of the Cama Baug Agiary. Young ervads of the Dadar Athornan Institute led a humbandagi after which the gathering stood in silence for two minutes to pay respect to the departed souls of the founding fathers, past presidents and office bearers.
While committee member Adale Patel read out the bio data of chief guest Capt Percy Master, chairman of the Master group of companies and guest of honor Shernaz Mehta, chairperson of the Zoroastrian Co-operative Bank Limited, Tehmina Peer apprised those present of the League’s activities. Roshan Dastur sang an English song while youngsters Anahita Karanjia and Shahzad Faroodi recited from the Shahnameh along with the Gujarati translation.
"Today sadly our community stands divided. We have so many factions that we have lost count of them… Let us put our egos and differences aside and do what is right for our religion and community. The ‘e’ from ego has to be removed and we should only ‘go’ forward all the time. Our forefathers died to preserve our religion. Let us at least live for it,” mentioned Master whom Dastur introduced as an "erudite gentleman with worthy qualities of head and heart.”
Commending the "highly committed members of the IL for tirelessly carrying out the vision of the founding members,” Mehta was of the opinion that the "need of the hour for our Parsi Irani children is to be aware of our great Persian history and heritage and our ancient religious and cultural traditions.” She went on to add: "We are lucky to be born in the Zoroastrian fold where we are known for our honesty, integrity and intelligence. Our forefathers have given us such a strong footing that even in this day and age we are loved by other communities for what we are.” Her solution for the community’s dwindling numbers was "marry within the community at an early age, produce as many children as one can afford but certainly not less than two.” Urging that every Zoroastrian who can afford it must visit Iran once in his/her lifetime, she opined that the ruins of Persepolis are more magnificent than the Acropolis of Greece, a sentiment that was seconded by both Master and Dastur.
As is customary every year, the IL honors a Parsi Zoroastrian who has distinguished himself in the Indian Armed Forces by presenting the Maneckji Limji Hataria Heroism Trophy. This year’s honoree was Maj Gen Cyrus Pithawalla (retd). Recipient of the Ashok Chakra (the highest gallantry award in peace time) and the Vishist Seva Medal, Pithawalla came from Deolali (where he now resides) with his wife Farida and mother-in-law Roshan.
After the vote of thanks by committee member Sam Choksey, the singing of Chhaiyé Hamé Zarthoshti and the Indian national anthem, the 400 strong gathering savored Jimmy Gadiwalla’s lagan nu bhonu.

Roxan A. Driver