“Let us leave the past behind”

"Starting today is a new dawn in the history of the Federation. The Federation was formed 50 years back. There are concerns about whether it has achieved the aims and objects for which it was formed,” stated the new president of the Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India (FPZAI) Yazdi Desai in his introductory remarks at the executive council meeting held at the Banaji Atash Behram Annexe Hall in Bombay on April 2 and 3, 2016.

Before the commencement of the Federation meeting

"Many may have differences. Let us resolve the differences through dialog and debate in a civilized manner… Let us leave the past behind,” stressed Desai requesting the anjuman representatives to conduct themselves "in a dignified and courteous manner. No acrimony please.” Referring to the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) as "the big, big brother,” he was happy that the new trustees on the BPP board have "agreed to make the Federation more meaningful:” Noshir Dadrawala has been appointed joint honorary secretary of FPZAI in place of Khojeste Mistree, whilst Zarir Bhathena replaces Desai as the new joint honorary treasurer.
At his first experience of a Federation meeting, BPP trustee Kersi Randeria commented that whilst the minutes summarize the issues raised at the previous meeting, there is no reference to "what steps are being taken to address the issues… Is this forum only to report problems or to find solutions? I don’t see any action plan.” Reading about the problems in Jhansi, Baroda, Nargol, he enquired, "Are there no plans to do anything about it?” Desai concurred that the action recommended should also be minuted for "it will be my endeavor that this body find more meaningful solutions.” When Federation joint honorary secretary Farrokh Rustomji mentioned that some matters concerning defunct anjumans may appear under the report of action taken by the National Minorities Commission, Randeria reiterated, "We should have an action plan and then have an action taken report.”
Commented Dadrawala, "We are told that the Federation has been around for 50 years (closer to 47 – editors). What has been the impact of the Federation? What value has the Federation added to the community? Its important milestones, important decisions need to be documented. We as a community have been bad at documenting.” When Desai asked him whether he would volunteer to take on the responsibility, Dadrawala said he realized that "when you speak, you also have to take responsibility,” hence he would take up the task with the support of assistants appointed by Desai.
The Federation in the past 12 years has gained a reputation for infighting that demotivates its members from attending. As observed Tehmton Anklesaria, North Zone vice president, "Only 40% of the anjumans are present at this Federation meeting,” with the largest attendance of 17 out of 31 from West Zone B, six from West Zone A, four from North Zone, two from South Zone and none from the East Zone.

When passing the minutes of the previous meeting held in September 2014, it was the report on the Mhow anjuman that first came up for discussion. Former Mhow resident Pervin Jehangir who has been representing Ilav at the last few meetings maintained that since Mhow has entered into a custodianship agreement with the Federation, matters concerning this anjuman should fall within the Federation ambit and not the internal affairs of the anjuman. "Allowing a debate will not give anyone a benefit. It will only be a slanging match” between the two sides, maintained Desai. Since some BPP trustees are already in discussion with members of the Mhow anjuman "to bring the long-standing acrimony to a close,” Desai requested her not to rake up past issues at the meeting. Pleased that the BPP trustees are trying to break the impasse, Rustomji added, "If the Federation cannot resolve issues amicably, what are we here for?” Jehangir further announced that Parsiana carried a report of what transpired at the meeting but the reply she sent to the magazine was not published.
[Jehangir had taken umbrage with one of the points raised by Anklesaria but the rejoinder she sent Parsiana covered several other issues related to Mhow. As those points had not been covered in the Parsiana report of the meet we told her it was not possible to carry that portion. She then asked how she could raise those points. We told her to write a separate letter which we would forward to the Mhow anjuman for their response. She sent the letter and the Mhow anjuman gave their response. To one or two points the Mhow anjuman had not responded so we requested them to do so as we did not want the correspondence to drag on. Both letters were printed in our issue of December 7, 2014 (see "Funding faith and …”) and covered one-and-a-half pages. Jehangir’s grouse was Parsiana had carried a blurb/readout from the Mhow letter but not from hers. She alleged this indicated a bias on Parsiana’s part against her. We explained that there was space which had to be filled and hence we had selected a readout from the Mhow anjuman letter but did not find a suitable quote that could constitute a readout from her letter. But she persisted to allege that Parsiana favored the Mhow anjuman as their secretary was related to the Parsiana editor (distantly and he was not even aware of the relationship until told).]
"If minutes come earlier, people would remember what was done or not done. Within six weeks would be preferable,” recommended president of the Vadodara Panchayat Baman Cama. Giving an assurance that minutes would be circulated within 30 days, Desai declared that there is an audiovideo recording of the entire proceedings with the minutes being "almost a transcript. Chances of making a mistake are almost nil.” The next meeting of the Federation is scheduled for Panchgani in September 2016.
Recalling the previous Federation meeting when there were "vociferous deliberations... on the Delhi Parsi Anjuman and the resolution condemning” its attempts to amend its constitution, Belgaum representative Cmde Medioma Bhada (retd) suggested that "a similar resolution be sent to the BPP” which had recently deliberated on whether a child of a Parsi mother and non-Parsi father should be permitted to attend the Holiday Programme for Youth in 2016. "This tendency of backdoor entry should be nipped in the bud!” he urged. Asserted Desai, "This issue has been discussed threadbare in the social media. As the chairman I will have to politely decline any debate on this issue because it has already been resolved.”
(Randeria informed Parsiana that the issue was not on the BPP agenda and no vote had been taken on the admission. The matter was discussed, views expressed and then not pursued.)
At the previous meeting Desai who was then the treasurer of FPZAI had insisted on a full forensic audit before the accounts are passed. When Marzban Giara, representing Tavdi, enquired, "Was the audit done? What was the result?” Desai responded, "Forensic investigation necessarily means criminal investigation. We had a discussion among the new board of BPP trustees since the moneys have gone out of the BPP.” It was decided not to pursue any criminal investigation. "The auditors made a few test checks and they seem to be satisfied and accordingly the accounts were signed. Giving benefit of doubt to senior people, let us put the matter behind us. Let bygones be bygones. We have seen to it that such a situation never arises in the future and the BPP CEO (chief executive officer) Cawas Panthaki personally supervises that moneys go directly into the account of beneficiaries.” Sorab Katpitia who handled the defunct anjuman matters has yet not handed over all the files but "yesterday he has submitted his resignation… With the good offices of Dadi Mistry, Zoroastrian representative on the National Minorities Commission, and Farrokh, they will persuade Katpitia to hand over the files to West Zone B vice president Sam Chothia in the next three months,” said Desai.
Cama recommended that Katpitia’s "work for many years” on the defunct anjumans committee when he "brought up many things which we never knew” should be gratefully recorded by the Federation. Supporting this proposal especially since Katpitia had rendered "valuable…honorary service,” Anklesaria added, "Many allegations have been made against him but not a single allegation has been proved.” "Katpitia has given me a synopsis of the work done by him,” stated Jamshed Dotivala, president of the Surat Parsi Panchayat (SPP) before handing over the papers to the FPZAI office bearers.
[Katpitia was caught in the crossfire between the WAPIZ (World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis) lobby and the former BPP chairman Dinshaw Mehta camp. He was viewed as being favored by Mehta and was therefore victimized by the WAPIZ members in the FPZAI.]
"Whilst accepting his resignation, we will record his service,” confirmed Desai and further allayed other fears that history could repeat itself by assuring that one set of all land records will be maintained by the BPP whilst Chothia takes responsibility for the second set. When Jehangir recommended that the correspondence address should be that of the BPP, Desai clarified, "Once the Federation intervenes, the correspondence address automatically shifts to the BPP.”
The accounts for 2014 and 2015 were adopted on the second day after the issues raised by chartered accountant Khurshed Pastakia of Borivli were discussed with the other chartered accountants — Bhathena and Hoshang Wania of Nargol.

Conception and exhibition

As part of the Jiyo Parsi initiative undertaken by ParZor with financial aid of Rs 10 crores from the Government of India, 59 births have been recorded in the community and many more women are pregnant, announced Dr Katy Gandevia during her presentation at the Federation meeting. Their target is to help 150-200 couples overcome fertility problems. If the family’s annual income is below Rs 10 lakhs they are given 100% reimbursement of the cost of treatment; for income between 10-15 lakhs, 75%; and between 15-20 lakhs, 50% reimbursement. Their series of advertisements created by Madison Communications resulted in "both positive feedback and criticism but it is good because it has generated a response and discussion,” mentioned Gandevia who was keen "to shake Parsis out of their comfort zone.”
To those who say "quality is more important than quantity,” Gandevia explained, "Quality will only matter if you have quantity.” She asked the anjuman representatives whether they would subsidize the balance amount of treatment cost not covered under the Jiyo Parsi guidelines. She further beseeched the senior members to help look after the second grandchild too. Jiyo Parsi counsellor Pearl Mistry who said "I walk the talk,” revealed that she married at 19, completed her education after the birth of her second child and had her third child by 35. Keen to inspire the youth of other anjumans, she announced, "I am willing to come. Please invite Jiyo Parsi.” She further cleared a misconception that the scheme is restricted to only a few gynecologists and insisted that a couple can approach any doctor they are comfortable with but the medical bills have to be sanctioned by Dr Anahita Pandole.
BPP trustee Viraf Mehta sought to ascertain "What is the future when the child reaches a marriageable age?” XYZ (Xtremely Young Zoroastrians) may involve the children in community activities until puberty and ZYNG (Zoroastrian Youth for the Next Generation) may engage the youth. "What is the next step? What if he or she marries outside? All the hard work is lost after two decades.” Delhi Parsi Anjuman trustee Cyrus Engineer mentioned that he runs an online portal chaalokaajkariye.com with records of those seeking matrimony from all over the world that has resulted in 20 marriages so far.
When West Zone A vice president Mancher Mubarakai stated that the deterrent for young couples is "not just in making kids but getting them educated,” Rustomji declared that the R. D. Sethna Trust’s educational assistance "never allows any Parsi to go without funds. Please be assured we are here.” He was also keen that the community should have a "Seekho Parsi” scheme whereby funds and reservation of seats can be made available to educate community youth. He mentioned that "when a delegation went to the Prime Minister, he asked for details.” BPP public relations officer Godrej Dotivala has prepared a list of Parsi founded educational institutions which was sent to the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the minorities minister Najma Heptulla wrote a recommendatory letter to the Prime Minister. "Let the community speak with one voice. We need reservation and financial assistance for education,” Rustomji emphasized. Once again the community was reminded that the Bombay youth are not willing to move to areas where seats are available as happened in the case of "the engineering college in Sangli where unfortunately there were no takers.” Instead of depending on the government, seats for the community should be reserved at new educational centers like the Rustomjee management institute and the Garda College in Navsari, suggested Giara.
"It’s time we start a Jaago Parsi (wake up Parsi) initiative,” recommended Bhada who was disillusioned that "for every little thing we want to go to the Punchayet. With the ghetto mentality… children are refusing to leave the baugs,” he noticed.
A special presentation on the three ongoing exhibitions in Delhi as part of The Everlasting Flame International Programme was made by Malcolm Deboo, president of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe, to induce "leaders of respective anjumans to take their delegations” to view these exhibitions. He asked the BPP trustees to additionally meet the minorities minister there and hoped a delegation of mobeds would also go to Delhi. "It will give an impetus to the central government that the Rs 15 crores they have invested to raise our profile is beneficial…at a time when other communities are asking why is the government spending so much on the Parsis…” Showing photos of the exhibitions from the Parsiana collection, Deboo reminded, "These exhibitions will not come to Bombay ever. Go there just to say thank you to the Indian government. If it wasn’t for the Hindus of India, we wouldn’t be a living religion today.”

Deliberating on the draft
The greater part of the afternoon on the first day was devoted to the sixth item on the agenda: "Consideration and approval of the draft FPZAI amended memorandum/rules and regulations prepared by the subcommittee chaired by Bomi Hirjee.” In the absence of Hirjee, president of the Indore Anjuman, it was committee member Rustomji who introduced his colleagues on the subcommittee: Farokh Irani of Poona, Brig Jahangir Anklesaria (retd), president of the Ahmedabad Panchayat and Pastakia. It was agreed in the morning session that the draft would not be approved at this meeting but the points raised would be circulated to the members before it was passed at the next meeting. The main purpose of the Federation is "to promote and safeguard the interests of Parsi Zoroastrians,” reminded Desai, realizing that anjumans "will have concerns…”
One of the proposed changes concerned the definition of "anjumans” which was originally explained as "anjumans and punchayets of Parsi Zoroastrians duly and properly formed.” Since the proposed change wanted to additionally include "other organizations (by whatever name called),” Cama sought to ascertain, tongue in cheek, "whether (SPP trustee) Yazdi Karanjia’s drama group could also be a member?” Yezdi Panthaki of Saronda enquired whether a housing society or Parsi colony would be included and Yasmine Sanjana of Bardoli enquired if a medical/religious/charitable trust would qualify as "other organization.” Jehangir was concerned that whilst the Ilav Anjuman is not a registered body, the Parsi trust in Illav is registered. When Pastakia explained that this clause is not to be read in isolation but in the context of the entire constitution, Randeria pointed out that "what you write and what you intend to mean” may be ambiguous. Desai ultimately declared that the committee will reexamine this clause.

Malcolm Deboo: exhibition brief

On the subject of who would be authorized to represent an anjuman at a Federation meeting, Jehangir sought to ascertain, "Who checks on that? If it is not implemented, it is pointless.” Since she was mainly objecting to the presence of Mhow’s Cyrus Muncherji and Zal Cowasji, for she insisted the "elections were not conducted properly,” the discussion was not pursued further although Rustomji clarified that this clause was being amended because "for a number of years people were coming in without (official) authorization.”
Additionally, since this clause specifies that the official representative of the anjuman needs to be a resident of that area, Farokh Shaher of Gandevi pointed out that as per their anjuman trust deed a trustee has to be a native of Gandevi but a resident of Bombay. It was ultimately decided that Gandevi will qualify as an exception or special case. When Jehangir once again brought up the subject of who would be authorized to represent Mhow, Meherji interrupted, "We have observed great restraint. The lady has brought up Mhow for the third time.” When Desai advised her not to use the word "Mhow,” she retorted, "What should I say? Military Headquarters Of War?”
"How many associations are part of FOZYA (Federation of Zoroastrian Youth Associations)?” enquired Mehta who felt that ZYNG with a claimed membership base of over 4,000 would be better qualified to earn representation on FPZAI and FOZYA could work under it. Clarified former FOZYA honorary secretary Pervez Irani representing the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman, "FOZYA does not permit individual membership.” Suggested Rustomji, "Merge the two organizations.” When Desai asked Mehta, "Isn’t ZYNG the youth wing of the BPP?” Mehta replied, "We work independently.”
Whether the Federation’s provision for liaison membership — in case an overseas Zoroastrian association is interested in maintaining ties with the Indian community — should be continued or deleted was also debated at length after the issue was raised by Sanjana. Since almost all associations in the West permit membership rights to non-Zoroastrian spouses and some even permit converts as members, the amended clause sought to specify that associations which accept converts will not be granted liaison membership.
In reality, there is not a single liaison member of the Federation so some like Sanjana, Giara and Wania felt the Federation should delete this provision and others like Bhada stressed, "There is a difference between a member and a liaison member that has no voting rights. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.” Mubarakai felt that just because there have been no liaison members until now does not necessarily mean there will be none in the future. "Times are changing very fast,” he added. "Don’t sever links with the outside world,” stressed Rustomji. When the discussion continued to drag, Desai ultimately remarked, "Farrokh has got enough inputs.”
With the prescribed anjuman membership fees being Rs 50, Zarsis Udhnawala of Thana suggested the amount be raised to Rs 500 but Pastakia recommended the amount need not be mentioned in the constitution but only the words "as decided by the executive council from time to time” so that the constitution does not need to be amended repeatedly.
Whilst earlier the Federation president "had sweeping powers,” the proposed changes seek "curtailment of the president’s powers,” mentioned Desai. Under the proposed amendment a president’s "ruling on any point of order or decision as to the result of voting shall be final and conclusive, unless such ruling is objected to by a majority of the vice presidents present and voting at the meeting.”
Since the functioning of the defunct anjumans subcommittee is also being revamped under Rustomji’s stewardship, there was a strong plea that the constitution should make mention of the custodianship agreement that the Federation seeks to sign with a dwindling anjuman. Stressed Jahangir Anklesaria, "We expect the Federation to step in regardless of the fact whether the defunct anjuman wants you or not. Otherwise what purpose are you serving?”