BPP trusteeship elections
This is the time to talk about a problem which probably every anjuman is facing. Talk to any of the trustees off the record and they speak one language, but together they nod their heads in support of what the majority thinks. This is sad! As a community we do not seem to want change — arré chalwa deo (let things be), why bother to take a stand on sticky situations?
On a one-to-one basis everyone will agree that "the dakhmas are in sheer mess with no dignity for the departed due to lack of scavenger birds. With failure of the solar panels, everything has virtually collapsed. There is a stink and it is unhygienic. People are unhappy about it, and who knows what will happen when non-Parsis take this issue head on!”
But when you ask about a solution, they have none. Why are we shying away from converting our dakhma grounds into aramgahs? This is already in practice, so it should be acceptable. We take cover under an illogical rule that where there is a dakhma no aramgah can exist. Can we not change this so-called rule and give individuals the freedom to choose their last resting place?
It is shameful that when Zoroastrians all over the world are not shying away from change we, the pioneering Parsis of India are not only dwindling in numbers and aging, but are still living in a fools’ paradise by claiming that the dakhmenashini system is still working perfectly. We are experts at burying our heads in the sand.
Will the new BPP trustees take a call on this issue and do something about it?
RODA D. HAKIM
Baroda
vadhakim@yahoo.com
People waiting to vote at the Bharucha Baug voting center
Twenty-three hopefuls jumped into the fray for five seats on the board of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP). I was pleasantly surprised that by and large the code of conduct was adhered to, though some exceeded the budget for campaigning. Having attended several meetings I can honestly say that all the candidates wanted to serve the community, their focus being on housing, sound finance and good governance.
On election day, October 18, 2015, I was at Khareghat Colony at 9.30 a.m. with my wife seated in the shamiana. But the moment it was announced that people can now form a queue, it became hell. There was no volunteer on duty to ensure that some form of first come first served system prevail, though voters had been seated in some order. Till 10.45 a.m. the EVMs (electronic voting machines) did not start functioning. This was condoned as after all the machines are dependent on unreliable networks. Though this was the first time with electronic voting, Yazdi Tantra and his team did a good job.
It being a very hot day, not only were people paani paani (perspiring profusely), but those in the queue were also thirsting for drinking water. No doubt we had been asked to carry water, but we did not. Why were not some small time Parsi caterers permitted to set up stalls to sell water, cold drinks and snacks?
There was a bottleneck: on the first floor there was another queue for registration which slowed down the whole process.
The election was for one day only. The Tardeo, Nana Chowk, Grant Road, Cumballa and Malabar Hill areas have the largest density of Parsis in Bombay.
The Parsis will have to go to the polls once again within six months when the term of BPP trustee Armaity Tirandaz comes to an end. She had been on the board for six-and-a-half years. Had she relinquished her office gracefully (not resigned) it would have saved so much time, money and energy of the community.
I am not happy with the result. However positive I may be in life, there is a lump in my throat. I find the combination of the seven unnerving. Also, I am not in favor of a seven-year term. The maximum should be five years.
My wife Firuza once said, "The BPP needs two types of trustees, ones who are suited and booted who wear kid gloves and the others who are raw and earthy foot soldiers.” She bracketed Dinshaw Mehta and the late Rustom Tirandaz in the latter category. Yes, rough on the edges, not much of finish but with hearts of gold. They toiled 24x7. Not all that Mehta did was right, but he humbly and candidly admitted: "Some of the things I did and the decisions I took were wrong in retrospect, and I apologize to the community.” It takes courage to apologize. One needs character to do that. He gave 21 years of his family life to the cause of the community. I salute him.
JIMMY FIROZE KHAN
jimmyfkhan@gmail.com
While voting for the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trusteeship elections on October 18, 2015, I asked myself why only Parsi candidates are allowed to stand for election. If the purpose of the BPP is such-and-such, why is the fulfillment of its goals entrusted to Parsis only? And, not to the best available talent?
I am certain that Jamsetji Tata and his successors had no such limitations while choosing leaders to drive the Tata enterprises/trusts which have done so much for the welfare of India! And for spreading "leadership through trust.”
Finally, I was unable to vote — as the queue at Khareghat Colony was over two hours long! NAWSHIR KHURODY
ndkhurody@gmail.com
I would like to inform the losing candidates in the October 18, 2015 trusteeship election for the Bombay Parsi Punchayet that they have not lost. Sometimes defeats are greater triumphs. The community has bestowed on them enormous responsibility without authority to watch over the work done by the winning trustees. It is their duty to form a shadow board for processes and controls along with a vigilant Press. The voters may have let them down, but they should not let the community down.
The winning candidates should realize that colossal hard work lies ahead. It is their job to stand above self and instill an inspiring work environment as a coherent team of trustees. With dedication and insight, mutual respect and trust, a spirit of understanding and tolerance, they can work as a well linked chain whose strength will be equal to that of its weakest link. And no one will fancy being the weakest link! The manner in which they respond to greedy persons around them or the needy of the community will be challenging and will determine their accountability. They must not fail themselves or the needy.
BAJI KALWACHIA
baji.kalwachia@gmail.com