Paeans for Poonawalla
Dr Cyrus Poonawalla was felicitated by the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe on his election as honorary life member of the body
Coming directly from Buckingham Palace after meeting Queen Elizabeth II, Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, chairman of the Poonawalla Group, was accorded a royal reception at the entrance of the Zoroastrian Centre in Harrow on May 28, 2015 by an impressive line-up that included the mayor of Harrow, councillor Krishna Suresh, high commissioner of India Ranjan Mathai, Lord Karan Bilimoria of Chelsea, Lord Dolar Popat of Harrow, member of parliament from Harrow West Gareth Thomas, president of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) Malcolm Deboo, and trustee and former president Rusi Dalal.The evening certainly had an ambience of pomp and ceremonial splendor befitting this momentous occasion, when over 200 Zoroastrians and invited dignitaries from London and continental Europe came to honor and felicitate Poonawalla on his election as honorary life member of ZTFE.
A group of Parsi ladies led by ZTFE vice president Shenaz Sadri performed the traditional aachhu michhu ritual with a tilo and garland for Poonawalla and his son Adar, after which the Iranian ladies led by ZTFE Iranian community engagement coordinator Parivash Kiani sprinkled rose water on their hands, offered them a traditional look into a mirror as also some Iranian sweets and dry fruits. Following introductions to current and erstwhile ZTFE office bearers and invitees, the duo were led up to the Setayash Gah at the Zoroastrian Centre where they prayed before the atash dadgah.
Lord Karan Bilimoria, Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, Ervad Rustom Bhedwar, Malcolm Deboo
Once they arrived in the Zartoshty Brothers Hall, ZTFE trustee Ervad Rustom Bhedwar along with past president Ervad Zal Sethna, ZTFE resident mobed Ervad Yazad Bhadha and Ervad Yazad Unwalla recited benedictory prayers for Dr Cyrus, Adar, daughter-in-law Natasha and grandson Cyrus.
Poonawalla was draped with a shawl, presented a silver medallion and a plaque which recognized his "worldwide charities and services to the Zoroastrian community, in particular his vital sponsorship of ‘The Everlasting Flame: Zoroastrianism in History and Imagination’ exhibition held at Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London.” The principles of Zoroastrian philanthropy have played a major role in developing his company and making it what it is today, declared the 14th richest man in India according to the Forbes listing.
In his welcome address Deboo appreciated that Poonawalla’s charities have not been restricted to the Zoroastrian community but have encompassed the world at large with his affordable life-saving vaccines that are supplied to developing countries. ZTFE is the oldest Asian faith based voluntary organization in the UK, said Deboo, alluding to its contributions during World Wars I and II which nearly bankrupted the association, and its subsequent rise to prosperity. He further referred to the munificence of the Zartoshty Brothers, the prime contributors to the development of Zoroastrian Centre that is also used by sister communities in Harrow for their fund-raising activities and charities, and mentioned that ZTFE has now embarked on establishing the first Zoroastrian Senior Citizens Home in the UK.
Having been elected mayor only nine days earlier, Suresh was delighted to welcome Poonawalla to Harrow which he described as the most multireligious borough in the UK and thanked the ZTFE for always assisting the Tamil Sri Lankan community and permitting them and others to use the Zoroastrian Centre premises for their activities. Mathai who also hails from Poona as does Poonawalla was proud of the unity, diversity and cultural heritage of India and paid a warm tribute to the contribution of Zoroastrians in India as well as in the UK.
In his felicitation speech Dalal described Poonawalla as "a man of immense acumen in the field of horse racing, horse breeding, an entrepreneur, an innovator and a successful businessman.” His Serum Institute of India (SII) which will complete 50 years in 2016 first started producing tetanus vaccines and subsequently progressed to DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis), anti snake venom serum for snake bites, measles and polio vaccines. India’s largest vaccine manufacturer, SII got accredited by the World Health Organization to export vaccines and supply them to United Nations agencies like UNICEF. By 1998 SII was exporting vaccines to over 100 countries and by 2000 one out of every two children in the world had been vaccinated by SII.
Dalal then proceeded to show slides featuring Poonawalla with Bill Gates and the Prince of Wales at his SII, with Prime Minister David Cameron at a conference in London, with Narendra Modi and other famous personalities, as also the awards conferred on him. For his "benevolence to us, contributions to societies worldwide, we owe (him) a token of goodwill. To this purpose the trustees, president and managing committee, and the membership of ZTFE unanimously proposed” to honor Poonawalla, asserted Dalal.
"We have our own Cyrus the Great, Dr Cyrus Poonawalla,” declared ZTFE patron Bilimoria, comparing his magnanimity to the one exhibited by the emperor of Babylon in sixth century BC. "Cyrus…you are not just a billionaire, not just one of the wealthiest people in the world, not just a creator of wealth but you are a contributor who continually gives back,” commended Bilimoria who has known Poonawalla for over two decades, having first "gravitated towards each other” at a polo match in Windsor when the two of them were the only Parsis there. Adding that Poonawalla has been "a huge inspiration to me,” Bilimoria referred to his support to community causes when the 10th World Zoroastrian Congress in Bombay in 2013 was almost aborted but could only be saved "thanks to Cyrus’ generosity and input… The leading publication of our community, Parsiana, is another example where, on a regular basis, Cyrus places advertisements to help support the magazine, all of which in loving memory of his wife Villoo.” Describing the new member as "a true entrepreneur,” Bilimoria added, "Cyrus lives by the mantra: It is not enough to be the best in the world; you have to be the best for the world.”
Among the other local dignitaries who commended Poonawalla was Thomas who invited the eminent Indian entrepreneur to consider relocating to the friendly London borough of Harrow whilst Popat asserted that Poonawalla "represents everything that the Zoroastrian community stands for… integrity, truth, love and compassion.”
Poonawalla’s sponsorship of the Everlasting Flame exhibition made possible the transport of many specially crafted exhibits from India to London, including the walk-in fire temple, acknowledged exhibition curator Dr Sarah Stewart of SOAS. Having attracted nearly 23,000 visitors over two months, the success of this exhibition in London resulted in the Indian finance minister Arun Jaitley announcing in his budget speech in 2015 the government’s intent to support the Everlasting Flame exhibition to be mounted in India next year.
Touched by the gracious hospitality accorded to him, Poonawalla confessed that he had never received such warmth even from the Parsis in India. He attributed SII’s success to its principle of honesty. He further revealed that he had opted to keep the prices of his products low so that they could be affordable to all, rather than pursue the approach of his role model Bill Gates who believes in making large profits and using them for charity.
Besides honoring the special invitees that evening, the evening’s master of ceremonies Javid Canteenwala, ZTFE treasurer, acknowledged the tireless efforts of the members who had made the event a success. Dr Jal Amrolia and his son Dr Zarathustra who had loaned their specially reproduced Achemenian and Sasanian artefacts for The Everlasting Flame exhibition were presented mementoes that day as was Percy Writer who was recently named West Middlesex Hospital Volunteer of the Year from amongst 400 contenders. Meticulous seating arrangements ensured that all 23 tables enjoyed bonding over a traditional repast of dhan dar, machhi no patio and sev prepared by Armin’s Catering with Cobra Beer and Belu Mineral water sponsored by the Cobra Foundation.
Kurds turn to Zoroastrianism
"For the first time in over a thousand years, locals in a rural part of Sulaymaniyah province (in Iraq) conducted an ancient ceremony on May 1 whereby followers put on a special belt that signifies that they are ready to serve the religion and observe its tenets… The newly pledged Zoroastrians have said that they will organize similar ceremonies elsewhere in Iraqi Kurdistan and they have also asked permission to build up to 12 temples inside the region which has its own borders, military and parliament,” noted a news report by Alaa Latif titled "Fed up with Islam and Sectarianism, some Iraqis embrace Zoroastrianism” that appeared on The Daily Beast, an American news reporting and opinion website. Over the next few days, this item and related posts were continually in circulation in community circles.
Although there is no official count of how many Kurds are turning to Zoroastrianism, the locals are impressed when they are told that Zoroastrianism is more Kurdish than other religions. An ethnic group numbering around 30 million, Kurds are spread over northern Iraq and Syria, western Iran and eastern Turkey. They are considered the largest stateless ethnic group in the world.
The report quotes Luqman al-Haj Karim, a senior representative of Zoroastrianism and head of the Zoroastrian organization Zand as stating, "This religion will restore the real culture and religion of the Kurdish people. The revival is part of a cultural revolution that gives people new ways to explore peace of mind, harmony and love.” They have approached government departments in Iraqi Kurdistan seeking official recognition for their religion for which they have composed their own anthem and social events.
"The people of Kurdistan no longer know which Islamic movement, which doctrine or which fatwa they should be believing in,” mentioned Mariwan Naqshbandi, spokesperson for Iraqi Kurdistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs who felt that interest in Zoroastrianism reflected disagreements within Islam and religious instability in the region. "There are many people here who are very angry with the Islamic State group and its inhumanity,” he added. Karim though maintained, "It’s illogical to connect Zoroastrianism with the ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) group. We are simply encouraging a new way of thinking about how to live a better life, the way that Zoroaster told us to. We don’t want (this faith) to be a substitute for any other religion.” Since those who have adopted Zoroastrianism are not denigrating any other religion, "this may be one reason why, so far, Islamic clergy and Islamic politicians haven’t criticized the Zoroastrians openly,” writes Latif.
Yet another report by Judit Neurink mentions that in April a Supreme Council of Zoroastrians in Kurdistan was founded. It quoted Nouri Sharif who returned five years ago from Germany to Sulaimani to bring back the religion: "Kurdistan has passed the era of secret practice. We follow the rules and legislations.” Referring to the sacred Gathas which answer questions on existence, religion, God and the universe, Sharif further declared: "We believe in peaceful coexistence. There is no violence in the origin of our culture. This is another wisdom by Zardasht (their nomenclature for the founder of the Zoroastrian religion) who says ‘I will not draw my sword in troubled times but light a candle.’” (Zoroastrianism exhorts its followers to righteously take up cudgels for worthy causes – editors)
It was subsequently announced that the European Centre for Zoroastrian Studies (ECZS) in Belgium sent them 1,000 copies of the Gathas and have now been requested to help them in building a Zoroastrian temple. Dr Khosro Khazai Pardis who is director of ECZS, "a cultural, secular and free-thinking institution,” clarified in an email to Parsiana: "They were translated to Kurdish language from the Gathas I published about 10 years ago. Unfortunately, the introduction of this book that is essential for understanding the historical context in which these 17 songs of the Gathas have been composed, the key concepts and words, their signification and the world vision… have not been translated. Hopefully with the help of some friends who have already shown willingness to help we (will) try to translate this introduction to Kurdish in a separate booklet and send it to them.” Pardis is a researcher and teacher in Iranian, Middle Eastern and Central Asian archeology, history of civilization and linguistics with his main interest in Zoroastrian studies.
Recommended Dr Dolly Dastoor editor of FEZANA (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America) Journal, "It is better to establish some links with them. I know you will say that we need to be very careful with the backlash from the Muslim countries but sooner or later something is going to happen… We need world leadership in our community. This is not going to come from Mumbai!... I hope people like Lord Karan Bilimoria, Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, Ratan Tata are aware of this. They are the people with financial and political clout to take some behind-the-scene action. We are living in fast changing times and we need to prepare for what is coming.”
Dr Ardeshir Damania, associate research geneticist with the University of California Davis who had spent several years in Syria wrote, "Small groups of Zoroastrians exist in Russia, bigger groups in the Central Asian Republics, plus the Kurds. Their rituals and prayers may not be the same as (our) Parsis’. Thousands of years and effects of diverse political systems that Zoroastrianism had to endure make the groups vary…But one thing is certain; they all revere Zarathushtra and follow his teachings.” P. G.