The last day of the Congress dawned bright and sunny on a Perth winter Sunday. After the previous night’s River Cruise, the participants were raring to get on with the program. The morning saw renditions of some new songs by Mani Rao.

The first morning session had eminent archeologist Allison Betts who spoke about the work she has been doing in Central Asia. She raised some very relevant questions about preservation of Zoroastrian sites and from there in what we learn about our history and where we came from.

This was followed by another media rich presentation by documentary filmmaker David Adams. He shared video footage from his travels in Afghanistan, Iran and other surrounding areas, and showed glimpses of archeological and historical sites where Zoroastrianism and other civilizations thrived.

The next session saw Dinshaw Tamboly speak about the amazing work done by his organization the World Zoroastrian Organization Trust Funds in the villages of Gujarat and other parts of India. Dinshawji thanked the amazing donors without who’s support none of the work would be possible. A short movie showed the impact of his work in the village of Zavda. The movie showed how the village of Zavda was transformed through the work of WZOTF and how the youth there are now entrepreneurs in their own right, starting businesses.

The next session saw Sam Balsara, the Chairman of Madison World and arguably India’s leading adman present his vision of how marketing and media can be used to enhance the image of the Zoroastrian community, not just in India but all over the world. He renewed his call for having a brand manager/ambassador for the community.Sam stressed on the need to protect, nurture and further ehance the goodwill and brand equity of the Parsi community in India. He expressed concern that the qualities of integrity, entrepreneurship, moral and ethical behavior that was a hallmark of all Parsis was eroding and we needed to make efforts to stop this decline.

Awat Darya from Kurdistan made a speech in Kurdish, highlighting the work she has been doing in local communities around Sulemanya.

Behram Pastakia of Washington D.C.  moderated a power packed panel of leaders of the various global bodies that all meet under the aegis of the Global Working Group (GWG). Neville Shroff, President of the Incorporated Zoroastrian Charities of Hong Kong Canton and Macao; who also serves at the non-executive Chair of the GWG explained the genesis of the GWG and the role it plays in providing a platform for collaboration among the various diaspora organizations. Homi D. Gandhi the president of FEZANA showcased the work of FEZANA through a 6 minute video. Viraf Mehta, a Trustee of the Bombay Parsi Panchayet spoke about the role and work of the BPP in Mumbai. Malcolm Deboo briefed the audience about the work of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe and the activities of ZTFE at the Zoroastrian House in London. Firoz Pestonji informed the audience about some of the challenges and opportunities in the establishment of a federation in Australia and potentially expanding it to the entire Pacific Rim, encompassing Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand. The moderator Behram Pastakia emphasized the need for a Pacific Rim Federation to aid the North American one (FEZANA) at the United Nation as a combined global voice representing Zoroastrians at the global stage. Edul Daver the Global Chair of the WZCC spoke about the role his organization is playing in pushing entrepreneurship and business ideals among the youth and in general, by working with various organizations like the WZOTF in providing seed capital and mentorship in business.

All the panelists agreed that such clear communication and collaboration among the elected leaders of the various Zoroastrian bodies all over the world was necessary to sustain and grow the community all over the globe.

In other sessions Rohinton Rivetna of Chicago USA, and founding President of FEZANA, spoke on Zorastrians as Bridge-Builders in the interfaith world and Malcolm Deboo, President ZTFE, from U.K. paid tribute to the Zoroastrians who made sacrifices and contributed to Great Britain in the First World War.

Sam Balsara led a thought provoking panel on Zoroastrian business and encouraging entrepreneurship. The panelists included Edul Daver, President of WZCC and a leading businessman and entreprenur in his own right. He spoke about leveraged buyouts and how he put in place business practises that helped sustain true employee empowerment within his large organization. Neville Shroff who heads a large multi-generation family business spoke about the early years when his father started trading and the setbacks he suffered and the tenacity and passion by which they rebounded and continue to thrive in a very competitive market. He brought forth some of the challenges of a family run business. Firoz Pestonji spoke of his varied journey from Jhansi India to Perth Australia and how at every turn when he faced a challenge, he flipped it into an opportunity. He spoke of the early struggles as an immigrant in Perth and how those struggles made him even stronger in his resolve to succeed and come out at the top. The fourth and youngest panelist Jehaan Kotwal, in his early 20’s; spoke about taking his family’s trucking business and turning it on its head to increase growth; introduce new technology and ideas and make a mark for himself and his company in the very competitive and tight-margin world of commercial trucking. All the panelists endorsed a common view of being open to taking risks; not fearing failure and the role their own families have played in helping them succeed.

In a breakout session eminent breast cancer specialist Dr. Farhad Contractor of Los Angeles spoke about the issues of breast cancer and its prevalence in Zoroastrian women.

Farrokh Mistree of Oklahoma, USA led a very interesting youth panel on the topic of “2 Models, 2 Paths, 1 Community”. Farrokh had in the months leading up to the Congress worked with 4 youth.. Kayras Irani of Vancouver, Canada; Zenia Sunavala of Houston; Dr. Delara Javat of Perth and Hanoz Kapadia of Perth to come up with a series of discussions on the issues pertaining to religion and youth today.

Jehaan Kotwal, the International Youth Director of WZCC and Xerxes Dastur, India Director at WZCC India put together a fantastic speed networking event for the youth. Nearly 75 youth gathered for a one hour session where they had the opportunity to interact with others; and identify opportunities that they could both tap into…and offer their expertise to…with other youth who are on similar business/professional tracks. The session was fun, interactive and superbly run by Jehaan. A lot of the youth later said that these are the type of sessions that they find very encouraging at Congresses. A note of it was made by Parshan Khosravi, the Chair of the 7th World Zoroastrian Youth Congress in Los Angeles, next year in July 2019.

Parshan along with Kayras Irani made a powerful presentation on the upcoming 7th World Zoroastrian Youth Congress next year. Under the mentorship of Katayun Kapadia, past President of FEZANA and its current Congress Committee Co-chair, Parshan and Kayras laid out the salient features of the Congress and what delegates can expect. They also announced an pre-early-bird registration option for those in the room.

Rohinton Rivetna of Chicago, and founding FEZANA President shared some of the successes and challenges representing Zoroastrians in the Interfaith world and the role Zoroastrians play in being bridge-builders in this realm.

Malcolm Deboo, the President of ZTFE remembered the Zarathushtis who sacrificed and contributed to Great Britain and the Empire in the First World War.

This was followed by Xerxes Dastur who took centerstage and made a very compelling and passionate case for Entrepreneurship not only in India where he is based but globally. He laid out some of the challenges and constraints and also shared avenues and opportunities for folks to get involved and become entrepreneurs and start businesses. Xerxes spoke about some of the new initiatives he has led at WZCC India and how he feels that those in his generation need to step up into leadership roles in the community, both in Mumbai and globally and continue to build on the good work done by the past generations of community leaders.

Eminent neurosurgeon Dr. Keki Turel was the last speaker of the formal part of the Congress. He gave a fascinating presentation titled “Enigmatic Brain – Order and Disorder”. He shared some of his success stories and also the challenges he faces everyday as he sees patients with all sorts of injuries. He emphasized the role of physical and mental strength to perform long surgeries and be prepared for the unknown in his line of work.

The evening Gala began with the World Zoroastrian Awards ceremony. The call for awards were put out by the  Global Working Group Awards Committee headed by Meher Bhesania of Dubai.

The awards were presented to Zarathushtis for their achievements in various categories. Meher emphasized that even though one awardee was picked per category; in reality every nominee was a winner and it was a testament of the strength of achievement in our community as could be seen by the achievements of the nominees.

The following were the winners in the various categories

• Zoroastrian Award: Dinshaw Tamboly
• Community Service Award: Meher Medora
• Science (Medicine) Award: Dr.Keki Turel
• Social Entrepreneur: Khushroo Poacha
• Woman of Distinction: Pheroza Godrej
• Outstanding Young Zoroastrian: Ziba Colah

A special award for Outstanding Service to the Zoroastrian Community was presented to Dr.Esfandiar Ekhtiyari, the first Zoroastrian Member of Parliament in Iran, who has been elected three times since the Iranian revolution.

Louisa Woods a world renowned Salsa dancer used the medium of dance to explain some of the routines of life.

The handing over of the ceremonial torch to the hosts of the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress took place. Homi Gandhi President FEZANA and Astad J. Clubwala President ZAGNY accepted the torch from Firoz Pestonji, the chair of the 11th WZC. The 12th WZC is slated to be held in the summer of 2022 and shall be hosted by ZAGNY a member association of FEZANA in New York City. The New York hosts showed a teaser video of what to expect in 2022. Both Homi and Astad welcomed those present to re-convene in New York in four years in larger numbers.

In his concluding speech Firoz Pestonji shared the triumphs, joys as also the pitfalls and learning experiences that he and his team went through in their two and a half journey to make the Congress possible. Firoz thanked his entire Team Australia of volunteers who helped pull out all the stops to make this event a success. Firoz thanked the major donors both individuals and institutional ones like the Incorporated Zoroastrian Charities of Hong Kong Canton and Macao who have consistently supported Congresses worldwide.

Neville Shroff, the non-exec Chair of the GWG proposed a vote of thanks to the Chair of 11th WZC and the entire organizing team for a fantastic job done in pulling off this monumental event.

Some concluding thoughts:

It was TOTALLY Worth Going to Perth. No….seriously It was !

This was the first World Congress in the age of social media overdrive. While this allowed the sharing of pictures and videos in real time, it also enabled the reach of the Congress all over the world, and many who could not be there in person still got a continuous stream of updates.

The emphasis and focus on business, entrepreneurship, networking and professional tie-ups was off the charts. In a communication with Edul Daver, Global President of the World Zoroastrian Chamber of Commerce; it was hoped that a legacy of this Congress would be the formation of a solid foundation and WZCC chapters in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and other cities.

The number of youth, as a percentage of the total attendees was probably the highest in any World Congress. This is a very welcome change. Most of the youth were attending a Congress of this type for the first time. And from conversations with a lot of them; they seemed to have a great time.

The youth took initiatives at myriad levels, some of which are worth highlighting.

Farzana Khambatta, daughter of the Chair; is a mom to two young kids herself. She was one of the main organizers of the Congress. In speaking with Farzana, she mentioned the countless hours that went into planning the Congress, all while juggling a home and two very young kids. Not only that; but she was one of the four MC’s right through the Congress. In many ways she is the poster child for the young Zoroastrians of today. Confident, passionate, grounded, and having been raised with a sense of responsibility to comunity, religion and the need to do something bigger than just one self.

Jehaan Kotwal, the very first youth International Director on WZCC’s board carries the burden of youth empowerment on his shoulders. And he took it square on. Participating as a panelist, organizing interactive networking sessions and in general galvanizing the youth to get involved, was observed by one and all. The WZCC Board is doing it right with empowering youth even within its organizational structure.

Merzi Mody, a youth from Sydney Australia rented a very large home close to the venue. And then put out a clarion call to all the youth attending the Congress to come and share the house and live under one roof. 12 youth from all parts of the world landed up staying there, and from what I heard….had an amazing time bonding. That shows entrepreneurship on the part of Merzi to make this happen, without anyone asking. This spirit needs to be harnessed and nurtured.

The last day’s program of the Congress was really packed and it didnt help that some speakers went overboard with complete disregard of the ramifications that would have on the overall program. It was also very strange that speakers who spoke fluent English chose to speak in their native languages, even though the entire audience understood English. I am not sure what the reason was; but its something that organizers should discuss with speakers. Having a live translator on the stage means that every speaker needs double the time.

Social media can be a uniting medium; but it also showed its bad side by the few messages that were floated by those who were not even attending the Congress and had factually wrong information. While this did not dishearten the Congress organizers, it left a lot of attendees including myself wondering how some fellow Zarathushtis could spread such lies and how they had stopped using their own good mind when they did so.

At the end of the Congress, I am sure there were a few tears in the eyes of the organizers. As they all go back to their daily lives, they will cope with the withdrawl symptoms that come about after being involved in putting together something so monumental. My hope and prayers are that this is the turning point that galvanizes the small Perth Zarathushti community to greater heights as they continue in their quest to build their new Dar-E-Mehr. From the local attendees at the Congress, one got a sense of a young diverse and thriving community and may this Congress be the catalyst for all these young parents, and their kids to take things to the next level.

From now on Perth will be counted amongst the leading diasporic Zarathushti communities, no longer an outpost for Zarathushtis in Australia; but a shining beacon of what can be achieved when one single individual has a crazy whacky idea to bring the Congress to his hometown and then pull it off with aplomb.

To all the new friends I had a chance to make, and to the old ones who I got a chance to meet; I cherish those moments. Till we all meet…..in 2022….in my own New York…..adios.

Over the next week we will continue with a series of observations on why it was Totally Worth Going To Perth.

We apologize for the delay in getting this last day’s report out. With a crazy travel schedule; it took a while to finish this.

The World Zarathushti Awards were presented at the 11th World Zoroastrian Congress, held in Perth this month. The awards are coordinated by the Awards committee of the Global Working Group.

Zoroastrian Icon Award

Dinshaw Tamboly

Dinshaw Tamboly is an eminent personality in India. He is well-respected for furthering the cause of Zarathushtis regionally and internationally. He possesses excellent traits of leadership, honesty, parsipanu and community service. He is a role model for many. He is the Trustee of the WZO Trusts in India, which undertakes diverse projects that have resulted in qualitative improvement in the lives of many Zarathushtis and seeds entrepreneurship in the community.

Community Service Award

Meher Medora

Meher Medora is the founder and Managing Trustee of “Ushta-Te foundation” in Ahmedabad, India, that  promotes advancement of religious, social and cultural activities in the Zoroastrian Community. Meher also works with under-privileged and physically and mentally challenged persons. She harnesses her time, talent and capacity in identifying problems faced by the local Zoroastrian community and  provides effective initiatives to bring meaningful changes.

Science & Medicine Award

Dr. Keki Turel

Dr. Keki Turel is one of the finest Neurosurgeons in the world. He is well-known for setting up the Microsurgery unit at the Masina Hospital in Mumbai, as well as other GCC countries like Oman, Sharjah (UAE) and Bahrain. He provides free service to Parsi Priests, teachers and those in low-income group. He holds free camps in Mumbai, Gujarat and neighboring countries including Africa. He has been decorated with several awards and trophies. On the fateful night of 26/11 he was the only Surgical Consultant attending scores of injured persons brought to the Bombay Hospital after being attacked by terrorists and continued treating several more for three more days and nights. He also organizes world events benefiting the neurosurgical community.

Social Entrepreneur’s Award

Khushroo Poacha

Khushroo Poacha  is a firm believer in promoting social entrepreneurship as a key element to advance societies in an innovative and effective manner. He launched the  www.Indianblooddonors.com helpline in 2000 to connect blood donors and patients. In 2014, he set up a kitchen for serving meals to patients and later instituted “Seva Kitchens” in 5 cities in India. In Dec. 2016, he introduced the concept “Fridge of kindness” for providing nutrition to poor patients in hospitals. Today there are 10 fridge’s in 7 hospitals and 3 schools in India.

Woman of Distinction Award

Dr. Pheroza Godrej

Dr. Pheroza Godrej is an advocate of fine arts and history. She is a cultural icon of Mumbai and India. Her interest in art includes specialized knowledge of modern Indian paintings, prints and drawings. Over the last 4 years she has curated exhibitions ranging from colonial period to contemporary both in India and abroad. In 2013, she was invited by 3 leading UK organisations – The School of Oriental & African Studies London University, The British Museum and The British Library to co-curate “The Everlasting Flame: Zoroastrianism in History & Imagination exhibition.” The success and acclaim earned by this exhibition led to the Government of India, Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Ministry of Culture to sponsor “The Everlasting Flame exhibition” at the National Museum in New Delhi from 19 March to 29 May 2016. Pheroza is the Honorary Director of F.D.Alpaiwalla Museum in Mumbai. She is also a nature conservationist and the Chairperson of the Godrej Archives council.

Young Zarathushti Award

Ziba Colah

Ziba Colah is a bright star among young Zarathushtis in Houston. She has not only achieved high grades in her scholastic studies but also been a winner of several scholarships from prestigious Medical Institutions and Colleges in Houston. Currently, she is doing her MD. Since 2010, Ziba has been making  substantial contributions to the Zoroastrian Association of Houston and has helped the Zoroastrian community in that area in many ways.

Roshan K. Bharucha is one of the six members of Pakistan’s caretaker federal government. Roshan along with her other colleagues was sworn in on June 4th. Roshan has been one of the leading Parsis in Quetta and has spent a lifetime in public service.

Six-member caretaker federal cabinet sworn in

A six-member caretaker federal cabinet appointed by interim prime minister Justice (retd) Nasirul Mulk was sworn-in on Tuesday.

President Mamnoon Hussain administered oath to the interim cabinet at the President House in Islamabad.

The cabinet includes former governor of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Shamshad Akhtar, former Pakistan ambassador to the United Nations Abdullah Hussain Haroon, former senator Roshan Khursheed Bharucha, Mohammad Yousuf Shaikh, Mohammad Azam Khan, and Syed Ali Zafar.

Haroon has been given the portfolio of foreign ministry and National Security Division along with the additional portfolio of Ministry of Defence. Akhtar has been appointed finance minister and planning minister in the caretaker setup. 

Azam Khan has been given the portfolio of Ministry of Interior, while Yusuf Shaikh has been made minister of education, as per a notification.

Among the newly-inducted cabinet members, Ali Zafar has been given the portfolio of Ministry of Law and Justice as well as Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and ministry of information.

Meanwhile, Roshan Khursheed will serve as minister of human rights and minster of states and frontier regions along with minister of Kashmir affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan in the caretaker setup, according to the notification.

[Link]

About Roshan Khursheed Bharucha

Ms. Roshan Khursheed Bharucha Caretaker Minister for Human Rights, Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit Baltistan, and States and Frontier Regions got a masters degree in English from the University of Balochistan in 1977.

She also got a degree in Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Executives from PIMS Karachi in 1993.

She has held public office / official positions as Caretaker Minister Balochistan (November 22, 2007 to April19, 2008); and Member Senate of Pakistan (March 12, 2003 to March11, 2006).

Ms. Bharucha has served as Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Health; Member Senate Standing Committee on Sports, Culture, Tourism and Youth Affairs; Member Senate Standing Committee on Education, Science and Technology; Member Senate Functional Committee on Government Assurance.

She also served as Provincial Minister Balochistan (June 2000) with the portfolios of Social Welfare, Informal Education, Human Rights, Youth, Information, Population, Information Technology, Manpower Training,  Sports, Archives and Culture.

Ms. Bharucha, who has also held honorary positions for international organizations and bodies, has a lot of experience in diverse areas including teaching, women welfare, sports, information technology, special education, culture etc.

Worked as Provincial Minister (2000-2002) in Government of Balochistan in departments of Social Welfare, Informal education, Human Rights, Youth, Information, Population, Information Technology, Manpower Training, Sports, Archives & Culture and then worked as Senator in Senate of Pakistan (2003-2006). During the tenure she displayed high level of expertise and experience to develop social strategies and implement reforms programs all over Pakistan for:

• Providing basic health & hygiene education.

• Enhancing literacy and education.

• Empowering Women and Youth through training and networking.

• Rehabilitation of socio economic condition of poor women folk through vocational training and self employment.

• Awareness Raising regarding population to aware people of the hazardous population burst.

Roshan Bharucha possesses more than 30 years of unified experiences in fields of education, technical and vocational training, managing not for profit humanitarian organizations and she has been working for the welfare of people of Balochistan for decades.

Roshan Bharucha is currently CEO of HUNAR (Human Unity, Networking Ability and Resources) which is a not for profit NGO working for uplifting the socio-economic condition of poor of the poorest female folk of Balochistan through vocational training which leads towards self employment. HUNAR, under the leadership of Roshan, worked with GIZ rigorously and continuously for Rehabilitation/Improvement of current TEVT (technical education and vocational training) framework of Balochistan Province which included measurements such as Rehabilitation of Physical Infrastructure, Provision of Latest Teaching and Learning Equipment and Material and Further Up gradation of Staff TTC (Technical Training Center), WTTC (Women Technical Training Center), and GVI (Government Vocational Institute) Quetta. The sincere hard work of Roshan bore fruits and the quality of TEVT System vastly improved which can be ascertained from the major increment in intake capacity of the aforementioned Training Centers.

Professional Affiliations and Memberships:

She held and currently holds important board positions in several key organizations such as:

• Acting Chairperson of National Commission for Human Development.

• National Council Member of RAHNUMA FPAP and worked as Vice President for two terms and National Treasurer for one term.

• Chairperson of SOS Children Village, Quetta

• Member Syndicate Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad

• Member of Aga Khan Education Board.

• Member of the Pakistan Senate’s Think Tank.

• Board Member of Balochistan Rural Support Program.

• Ex-Member Board of Trustees Hamdard Foundation.

• Ex-Member of Education Curriculum Wing .

• Ex-Member in Senate of Women University Balochistan.

• Ex-Member National College of Arts , Board Member .

• Ex-Member Liaison Committee Public Police.

• Ex-Chairperson IT Pearl Institution, Balochistan.

• Ex-Goodwill Ambassador of Polio-UNICEF.

• Ex-Chairperson of Public Media Committee.

• Ex-Director of PPL

International Conferences and Seminars:

Roshan has taken part in many international and national conferences such as:

• Study tours to Philippines under the UNDP Strengthening Democracy through Parliamentary Development Projects.

• 58th Session of the World Wealth Assembly from May 16-25, 2005 in Geneva , Switzerland .

• The first India and Asia Region CPA Conference in Hyderabad , India from November 17-22, 2004.

• 15th International Aids conference on July 11-16, 2004, in Bangkok- Thailand .

• Five (5) weeks study tour to USA in 2003.

• Participated in the UNICEF Convention of the Rights of Children in May 2002 at the United Nation in New York .

• Attended the United Nations’ Conference on women and delivered an address on the Status of Women in Pakistan , March 2001.

• Attended Pakistan Days in Germany (Berlin and Munich) sponsored by Pakistan German Business Forum and GIZ on 27-29 Oct, 2013

Awards and Recognitions:

• Human Rights Awards ( Pakistan Human Rights – Lahore ).

• Social Work Award by Tarraq-e-Niswan – Balochistan.

• Girl Guides Award

• Award by Mayor of Dallas-USA for Social Work.

On the sidelines of the 11th World Zoroastrian Congress 2018 in Perth Australia, Parsi Khabar had an opportunity to catch up with Ervard Xerxes Dastur who is contesting the BPP Trustee election for the single seat.

In an impromptu and candid interview Xerxes answers a myriad of questions on a variety of issues.

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) will recognize Cyrus D. Mehta with the 2018 Edith Lowenstein Memorial Award for excellence in advancing the practice of immigration law. He will receive the award this week during AILA’s Annual Conference in San Francisco

Mr. Mehta has dedicated his life and career to advance the practice of immigration law, not just by providing excellent representation to clients, but also through advocacy efforts, writing, and teaching other lawyers. He is a frequent speaker at AILA events and other prestigious conferences on immigration law, as well as the author of influential articles on cutting edge immigration topics, including ethics.

As the founder and managing partner of a New York law firm that focuses on many aspects of immigration law, Mr. Mehta provides effective, ethical, and creative solutions to his clients in business and family immigration, naturalization, asylum, removal defense, and ethics. He is also an adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School where he has inspired many of his students to become immigration lawyers.

Mr. Mehta has chaired AILA’s Ethics and Pro Bono Committees and currently serves as Special Counsel on immigration matters to the Departmental Disciplinary Committee, Appellate Division, First Department, New York. He is a former chair of the Board of Trustees of the American Immigration Council, former chair of the Committee on Immigration and Nationality Law of the New York City Bar Association, and former secretary of the same association. After graduating with a BA degree from St. Xavier’s College, Bombay University, Mr. Mehta obtained law degrees from Cambridge University, England (BA in Law, MA in Law), and Columbia Law School, New York (LL.M).

Our dear friend and brilliant legendary contemporary dancer Astad Deboo has been credited for blending his kathak and kathakali training and creating a unique dance form that has been appreciated globally. He is also known for collaborative explorations with other artistes. This year he teamed up with rudra veena artiste Mohi Baha ud-din Dagar to create a connection between contemporary dance and Indian classical music, and performed at the Mudra Dance Festival in April. The maestro has now added another feather to his cap.

Deboo has received a lifetime achievement award – Yagnaraman Living Legend — from the Chennai-based Sri Krishna Gana Sabha. Established in 1953, the organisation is highly regarded across the country. “I feel honoured that an Indian classical dance foundation has bestowed this honour to contemporary dance. This is the first time ever that an award Is being given in this category. I have been In this profession for 50 years, so it is a recognition of what I have done,” said Deboo.

Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor of Udvada, who until last year was in favour of Metro III, says high priests were misinformed about alignment and demands for the proposed tunnels to be realigned

Article by Gaurav Sarkar | Mid-Day

The high priest of Udvada, Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor, has seemingly had a change of heart on the controversial Metro III alignment. Months after claiming the Metro tunnelling work won’t harm the Parsi community’s sacred Atash Behrams, he is now of the opinion that the project should be realigned to protect the structures.

In a June 8 letter to the group of Parsis who have petitioned against the Metro, he has also stated Metro authorities fed him ‘misinformation’ when he met them last year.

Khurshed Dastoor, who was also appointed last year as a member on the National Minorities Commission, had visited MMRCL officials in October 2017. After the meeting, he’d announced he was fully satisfied with their explanation that the tunnel alignment does not come in the way of the sanctum sanctorum or the well, thus drawing flak from those strongly seeking realignment.

Fed ‘misinformation’

Now, at a time when the entire community has come together demanding the realignment, Dastoor, too, holds a different opinion on the issue. He wrote in the June 8 letter: “As I have stated previously, had I known about the alignment of the tunnels below these two pious buildings earlier, I would have surely objected to the same and also suggest realignment.” He further alleges the Metro authorities had fed him ‘misinformation’ last year.

“It is only when we, the high priests, were consulted last year, that too with misinformation about the realignment, about the tunnel not passing through the sanctum sanctorum of Wadiaji Atash Behram, did I step in to know the truth from the Metro authorities and presented the facts to the community,” he wrote in the letter.

Speaking to mid-day from New Delhi, Dastoor said: “Last year, MMRCL clearly said the tunnel(s) cannot be shifted. We’d requested them to realign, but they said there was no alternative, and assured us they would take utmost care and precaution. That is why at the time I said it was okay to go ahead with the tunneling because there wasn’t any other option.”

What changed?

So what made him change his mind? It was Hafeez Contractor’s realignment plan, later submitted to the authorities. When asked whether MMRCL had misled the community, Dastoor said: “Let me be fair. MMRCL had limitations of design, whereas Hafeez Contractor is a master of architecture; what he designs and what other people design is quite different. Hafeez found out the way to realign it.”

Reacting to those pointing fingers at him for his drastic change of stance, Dastoor said: “At the time, I was told there was no alternative and even today if I am told the same thing, I will stick to my stance that the project can go ahead. But if an alternative is available, then it should be worked upon.” As for the letter, it culminates with Dastoor asking for the realignment: “In conclusion, I reiterate that if there is any possibility to realign the tunnels to preserve the sanctity of these edifices, then the same should be undertaken.”

Author Kainaz Jussawalla informs us….

‘We all have deep dark secrets …..’’

That is  the crux of my first  novel published by Crossword  book stores in June 2017

It was followed by a massive book launch in July 2017 and Javed Akhtar who was the chief guest praised it and spoke of the book and the author in a flattering yet typical humorous style .

The book itself comprises of Seven short stories that will take you to the edge of your seat .

They all have an interesting unexpected climax .

All seven narratives are Women centric, dark,  intriguing and deal with the polarities of the human mind. 

Dark vs light . Jekyll vs Hyde.

Angra Mainyu and spenta mainyu In Parsi terminology .

Full of twists and turns my novel was number nine on the crossword best seller list last year 

It has also been published in Braille as a self endeavour and is sent across all Braille libraries in India . Tanya Balsara daughter of Sam Balsara launched the Braille version along with Javed saab.

I also conducted a small reading at the Victoria memorial Tardeo.

Being an International cabin crew, travelling and meeting people has only added to my unconventional, unique habit of story telling .

I am currently on my second completed fiction novel and an on going third non fiction one.

Since I have been an ex journo with Savvy and free lancer at TOI , debonair , a Bandra buzz columnist , my past life writing experience holds me well .

Radio channels did interviews before and after the launch too as well, covering my poetry’s in one and an interview with RJ Hrishikay in the other .

Ndtv covered  the book release .

Few celebs helped me promote my book.

Parsis of face book whom I have never met in my life have given me such unconditional support that it further enhances my certainty that there is no community like us .

My Grand mother Sheroo who was the wise bird and a super story teller has been my inspiration and pulled along till 103 to see this day

One of the venues for election may be changed; some members suspect ulterior motives

With just a little over a fortnight before the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) election takes place, mid-day has exclusively learnt from sources that the Bombay High Court will, in a chambers session this Wednesday, decide whether one of the five proposed election voting venues can be changed.

Article by Gaurav Sarkar | Mid-Day

The BPP election is set for July 1. According to sources, the case was taken to the High Court last week after four out of the five contesting candidates, as well as two out of seven BPP trustees, moved the court stating that they did not want the Khareghat Colony venue to be changed to The Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable School & Junior College (BJPC) at Charni Road. “We are going to propose that the location be changed to BJPC School; Khareghat Colony is on a slope and water comes pouring down on it when it is raining,” said a BPP Trustee, who is in favour of getting the location changed.

“Khareghat Colony also has no toilet facilities and everything is done outside on the road where the computers and machines are placed. Now it will be left to the court to decide.”

However, according to another BPP trustee, who is not in favour of moving locations, the proposal to move was being done to favour the fifth candidate contesting the BPP election, Anahita Desai, who is current BPP President Yezdi Desai’s wife. “We want the venues to remain the same for a matter of convenience but they want it to be moved because they feel that Khareghat Colony is a weak hold for Yezdi’s wife,” said the trustee. When asked whether their faction would present a counter proposal to the court to not let the location change, the trustee said, “Both venues, Khareghat Colony and BJPC, should be kept. In the past too, there have been BPP elections with six venues.”

UPDATE: The contents of the article are not current. Senior journalist Nauzer Bharucha, in a facebook post had informed that he had spoken to the authorities and this proposal has been scrapped.

Vow to move court if BMC does not scrap proposal

After its fight to protect two fire temples from tunnelling for Metro 3, the Parsi community has taken up the task to save another fire temple: the Dadiseth Atash Behram in Fanaswadi in Girgaum.

The community is worried about the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) proposal to build a pay-and-use container toilet block near the fire temple.

According to community members, the BMC issued a public notice in May, informing residents about the proposal. Officials from C Ward said objections must be raised within 30 days, that is by June 8. The Hindu has a copy of the notice.

“I only got to know about the notice on June 14. I promptly circulated it within the community,” said lawyer Rayomand Zaiwala. “It is extremely upsetting that the BMC is planning a public toilet right next to a holy place. If they don’t reconsider it, we will be left with no choice but to approach the court,” Mr. Zaiwala said.

The Dadiseth Atash Behram is a grade IIA heritage structure. It is one of the four atash behrams — temples that house the highest grade of fire — in Mumbai.

“It would be disrespectful to build a public toilet adjacent to a nearly 300-year-old sacred structure,” said another community member. He said courts had earlier ruled that a public toilet cannot be put up nearby a place of worship.

Earlier case

In the 1990s, the BMC had constructed a public toilet near the Bhikha Behram Well located at the corner of Cross Maidan. Community members had approached the court for removal of the toilet, as the well was a place of worship. “We first went to the High Court and then the Supreme Court. We fought the case for 14 years, till the court ruled in our favour and the toilet had to be demolished,” said Viraf Kapadia, member of the Bhikha Behram Well Trust, who was one of the petitioners.

“Whenever the BMC comes up with such plans, they should put up a public notice in community newspapers as well. Also, civic officials have to think several times before making such a plan. It is not only wrong aesthetically to have a toilet next to a heritage structure, it also hurts religious sentiments,” Mr. Kapadia said.

Udaykumar Shiroorkar, Assistant Municipal Commissioner, C Ward, said the BMC has not received any objections so far. “Public toilets are extremely essential. But if anybody raises a grievance, we do take it into consideration,” he said.

Candidate Profile

Anahita Desai

The past few weeks have witnessed a couple of Manifestos coming from candidates standing for BPP Trusteeship. These Manifestos clearly expose the candidates’ limited understanding of the BPP or how the BPP actually functions. When making promises and painting ideal scenarios, candidates fail to take into account the ground reality, the probability of a lack of support on the Board, the financial constraints of the institution, the calibre of support staff, the Class IV workers being unionized, and the time one can devote to the community.

All this ensures that most of the promises and grandiose ideas – such as ‘decentralizing the power of the Trustees, bringing about 100% transparency, providing jobs instead of doles to the financially disadvantaged’, etc – made at election time, remain mere words and unfulfilled election promises. Therefore, no big, grandiose promises from me. I will only promise that my every decision and action on the BPP Board, if elected, will always be, without fear or favour, in the larger interest of our community, and for the well-being of all community members, and in particular, the less fortunate members amongst us.

Fairness In Housing: Regarding Housing, I strongly believe that the BPP should do everything in its power, to take possession of flats kept locked and unused in various colonies. It’s unfair to keep a flat locked for years, depriving deserving applicants/families of a home.

Effective Follow Up & Implementation: I’ve realized that one of BPP’s weaknesses is the absence of proper follow up/implementation on decisions taken by the Board. Several good decisions and worthy projects have been approved/passed by the Board in the last few years, but the record of implementation of these decisions and projects is dismal. There is no tracker system in place to monitor the progress of a project or any task assigned to a particular department, and many good plans eventually slip off the attention radar. For example, 4 years ago, the Board decided to repair/change water meters in all colonies; but only 4 water meters have been changed to date! Another example is the decision to bring on record the properties/flats in cosmopolitan buildings which are donated to the BPP, which has not been followed up on, languishing for years at the Charity Commissioner’s Office. Many such examples require consistent and dogged follow-ups to ensure quick and proper implementation of the Board’s decisions – I can say with certainty that I have the will and the persistence to make a positive difference in this regard.

Setting Up An Efficient Communication System: In my opinion, the BPP lacks a good mechanism to disseminate information to the community. Misinformation and outright falsehoods are often spread by vested interests and when the BPP does not disseminate the correct information in time, the Institution gets maligned. One recent example is the monthly Rs. 200/- collections from colony residents for their wet garbage being collected by an agency. The BPP failed to communicate clearly with the community that the BMC had issued a final warning stating that from 1st April it would stop collecting wet garbage from colonies. Since the idea of the centralized garbage project at Ambavadi was scrapped due to pressure from orthodox community members, the BPP was left with no choice, but to outsource the collection of wet garbage to an agency, whose fees/charges had to be met. This was not conveyed to the community in time and the lack of communication led to a lot of misinformation and angst.

In this age of Social media, the BPP must put in place a system for conveying information to a large section of the community, quickly, and not just through a periodic bulletin in a newspaper. Also, beneficiaries complain that their letters and emails to the BPP are not replied to. This lack of a polite reply (and help where possible of course) causes ill will towards the BPP. I certainly like to change that.

Dynamic And Information Website: The BPP must have an informative website which is updated regularly and convey information about all its activities. For eg., not many in the community know that the BPP sells kustis and even wool for making kustis, prayer books in English and Gujarati, and that it has an Employment Bureau and a Matrimonial Bureau. Both the Matrimonial Bureau and the Employment Bureau need to be revamped and given a thrust. My experience in helping individual community members get gainful employment and my constant interaction with the youth of our colonies and baugs, will help in revamping and giving a thrust to both the above mentioned activities and bureaus.

A More Inclusive Policy: The BPP is often criticized that Colony Associations are not consulted on decisions which affect the residents. I would like to change that. Regular meetings with Colony Associations and Custodians would help iron out a lot of problems specifically faced by a particular Baug.

PR With Government/Agencies: The BPP deals with many Government Agencies for its properties, statutory compliances etc, but no effort is made to maintain good relations with the officers and staff of these Govt. Depts. and other institutions likes banks, etc, to ensure that work gets done without a hitch. The new Joint Deputy CEO Shehnaz Khambatta is starting this practice and I will be able to help her push it forward.

Settle Legal Cases: In my opinion, the BPP should be a benevolent landlord and try to settle more cases filed against occupants, unless there is blatant misuse of the premises or breach of the terms of occupancy. After all, the properties under the care of the BPP are “Of the Community, By the Community and For the Community”!

How Do You Know The True Worth Of A Candidate? Candidates need to portray their true selves and not put up a sham or façade, saying what they know the community would like to hear, even though it’s untrue. In the past, we’ve had candidates who proclaimed to be orthodox, declaring their love for our religion and traditions. In reality, they were anything but orthodox! Even now some candidates are promising to convert leave and licences to tenancy, if elected, knowing full well that there is no way they can do that! But saying so gets them votes, they say it nevertheless.

The community needs to see through the lies some candidates have put up. Look into their track record of community service, and you will then be able to distinguish the ‘talkers’ from the ‘doers’! If one is flaunting the fact about being an Ervad, find out if they have ever helped out at Agiaries or at Doongerwadi, especially since the community is experiencing an acute shortage of mobeds.

You need to question candidates on their absence during numerous burning issues – current and past – within our community, that need resolving. For eg., the Parsi Lying in Hospital issue; the issue of Rs. 20 lakhs unaccounted cash being found in the BPP; the cosmopolitan hospital coming up at the Parsi General Hospital complex; the issue of the prayer hall being built for those cremated; the cosmopolitan Dadgah in Pune; the Calcutta case where children of Parsi women married to Non-Parsis are demanding entry into the Agiary; the Metro 3 line passing under our Atash Behrams… Where were these candidates then???

Ask the candidates what they did at that time – did they take a public stand with regard to the issue? Did they write in the papers demanding answers? Did they visit the BPP to question the Trustees? Did they initiate a signature campaign? Did they file an RTI application in the relevant forums to seek answers, intervened in Court, or formed a volunteer group?

Or conveniently, did they just remain silent. Where were they, all this time? Silent and sleeping? If the candidates have remained silent and indifferent through these issues, can you trust these suddenly-community-spirited candidate, when they show concern for the community only during the elections?

One of the candidates is a Managing Partner of a Firm, which is the internal auditor for the BPP. Yet, when all the financial issues were being exposed in the Press, did he, make any recommendations /reports to the Trustees regarding the financial and administrative aspects of the Panchayat? Surely, he was in a position to do so? What does this indifference tell you about this candidate?

Our dear friend, mentor and one of Singapore’s leading Parsi Rustom Ghadiali was featured in a Straits Times article earlier this month

One of the most memorable ques­tions Mr Rustom Ghadiali was asked as a Zoroastrian priest is: “Is Zorro a Zoroastrian?”

The kindly 82-year-old replied: “No. Zorro is a comic book charac­ter. Zoroastrian is a 3.700-year-old faith.”

The leader of one of the smallest faiths in Singapore – with only 300 believers – Mr Ghadiali has made his mark in promoting inter-faith harmony here.

Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest surviving religions. Followers believe in one supreme being. Ahura Mazda. It was once the official religion of Persia, as Iran was then known, and one of the most powerful religions of ancient times. But the Zoroastrians dwin­dled in numbers after Alexander the Great defeated Persia’s army.

Zoroastrians were persecuted and fled their homes. Some, like Mr Ghadiali’s ancestors, settled in In­dia where they were called Parsis.

Mr Ghadiali studied the monothe­istic faith in his teens in India and was ordained as an Ervad or priest. An Ervad does not need to give up his secular life and become celibate as that is contrary to the belief that Ahura Mazda wants followers to live industrious and happy lives.

Mr Ghadiali first visited Singa­pore on a work trip in 1971 as a man­ager for American semiconductor firm International Rectifier – where he Liter became vice-presi­dent of the South-east Asia, India and China branch.

He had come to look for a site to build a semiconductor plant and was impressed by Singapore’s way of doing business. He quickly de­cided this was where he would spend his life.

“It wasn’t like in other countries, you didn’t have to bribe the officials. So I set up the plant here and settled down,” he explained.

He set up home in Singapore in 1973 with his wife Shirin, now 76. They have two daughters. N’atascha and Kharmayne, who were born in India and raised in Singapore. The sisters were gymnasts who repre­sented Singapore at the SEA Games in the 1980s and 1990s.

Mr Ghadiali connected with other Zoroastrians in Singapore. He became the leader of the com­munity in 1986. when he was asked to join the Inter-Religious Organisa­tion (IRO) to replace Mr B. R Vakil.

The IRO, started in 1949, fosters friendship and cooperation among the 10 official religions in Singapore and rotates its presidency among the leaders of the faiths.

“The Baha’i leader, who is my friend, called me and persuaded me to take on the role so that Zoroastri­ans can retain their scat in the IRO.” said Mr Ghadiali. Baha’i is one of the faiths included in the IRO.Mr Ghadiali was IRO president three times. During his stint in 2009. IRO worked with the Singa­pore Buddhist Lodge and the Chi­nese authorities to hold the first China-Singapore Religious and Cul­tural Exhibition, which attracted morethan 10,000 visitors.This helped to nurture and strengthen the ties between the reli­gious leaders from both countries.II is efforts over 30 years won him the IRO Award in March this year.

It is given to those who have contrib­uted to inter-faith peace.I RO’s current president K. Kesava- pany said: “We owe it to Mr Ghadi­ali and other members of the pio­neering generation for the peace and happiness that we enjoy.”Such harmony is the result of re­spect and discipline from all the leaders of the IRO, who follow a st rict code of conduct.Mr Ghadiali explained: “If we have disagreements, we don’t take it further or escalate it, we discuss it. And we also never comment on the other religions. We deal with in- ter-faith harmony, not intra-faith harmony. So if one religion is suffer • ing from internal issues, we step back and let them figure it out.”While IRO leaders have managed to stay friendly, parts of the world have been fraught with rising reli­gious tensions, as radicalism and fun­damentalism drive act s of violence.Recalling the climate after the Sept 11, 2001. terror attacks in the US.

Mr Ghadiali said: “The first thing that happened was that peo­ple started discriminating against Muslims. But terrorists can come from any country and any religion.”He added that the IRO leaders ap­peared together at a multi-religious memorial service for the attacks to lead prayers. It was a symbolic way of emphasising the harmony be­tween the different faiths here.But religious tensions are not a thing of the past. As Mr Ghadiali said: “It’s the same problem now be­cause of ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) and people have nega­tive attitudes of Islam.”But he believes that there is a way to deal with the misunderstanding and discord – through dialogue and discussion.He regularly speaks to youth through outreach programmes sup­ported by the Ministry of Culture. Community and Youth, and lec­tures organised by IRO and poly­technics.”One thing I noticed Is that there are more people without religious affiliations turning up. I asked them what they want and they say they are interested in learning instead of believing.” he said.Although a deeply religious man, Mr Ghadiali is far from dismayed.He said: “People can often have the wrong ideas about religion or even misunderstand its concepts. So I’m very encouraged by how young people do want to learn more about religion even if they don’t believe in any religion.”

We are happy to share the official images and write up of the new Dadgah at Della Towers. The dadgah project was spearheaded by our dear friend, mentor and acclaimed designer Jimmy Mistry.

Date: Thursday May 31^st, 2018

Time: 5 to 7 pm

Venue: Della Tower, Jame Jamshed Road, Dadar Parsi Colony, Mumbai 400014

Last evening Della Tower, Jimmy Mistry’s landmark building hosted over a thousand people of the city’s Zoroastrian community including Head Priests, Priests, religious scholars, trustees of the Parsi Punchayet, actors, business people, cricketers & other community members who had all gathered together to be part of a very auspicious ceremony – the Enthronement of the Dadgah Saheb at Della Tower.

Ten years back, Della Tower was built, an edifice designed by Jimmy Mistry, Chairman Della Group. Creating this Persian inspired masterpiece established Jimmy as a doyen of the Parsi Irani community and a designer extraordinaire.

Since the building was built, Jimmy had provisioned for a Dadgah Saheb (a Parsi Temple) which was enthroned last evening at the hands of Vada Dasturji Dr Firoze Kotwal, Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor and Vada Dasturji Cyrus Noshiwan Dastur, the distinguished head priests of our community. The Dadgah Saheb is Jimmy’s humble and honest contribution to the youth of a new age Parsi and Irani community & designed with his signature touch, he hopes it will be a place of worship that anyone from the community can enjoy.

Along with the Vada Dasturjis, several learned religious scholars from our community like Dr Ervad Ramiyar Karanjia & Dr Ervad Parvez Bajan were present. Also part of this special evening were Chairman of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet Yezdi Desai & his wife Anahita, as well as the Trustees of the BPP – Arnavaz Mistry, Armaity Tirandaz & Trustee Zarir Bhatena’s wife who represented her husband, as he couldn’t be there. Trustees of the Rustam Faramna Agiary were also present. Other guests included the actor Boman Irani & his wife Zenobia, actor Nauheed Cyrusi, Boman Irani the builder, Percy Chowdhry, celebrated cricketer Farokh Engineer, fitness expert, Mickey Mehta, Roshni & Parvez Damania, Anahita & Gary Lawyer, Dr Byramjee, Hoshi Sinor & more. The core team of Mobeds (Priests) from the Parsi Resource Group PRG Kaizad Karkaria , Meher Dastur, Cyrus Dastur, Jamshed Panthaky & the Dadachanji Brothers.

With the support of all the key members of our community, this Dadgah Saheb has been inaugurated today; with input having been taken from all the above while it was being built. Speaking at the inauguration, Dr Ervad Ramiyar Karanjia said, “This is indeed a very historic occasion. What we are going to witness is the establishment of a Dadgah Saheb in a building. Just yesterday in this place where the Dadgah Saheb would be housed which is the Kebla, a Vandidgard ritual was performed & the sacred fire of the Vandidgard ritual & the sacred fire of the Farishta ritual will be housed in the Dadgah Saheb. The residents of Della Tower are most fortunate to have a Dadgah Saheb right in the building, giving them the opportunity to go there on their way out, maybe when they get back, anytime. Being open to all members of the community, everyone is encouraged to visit the Dadgah Saheb to seek blessings & be part of this.”

The entire area was beautifully decorated with flowers & garlands & to mark the occasion, Della Tower was lit up on the outside by special coloured lights to create a perfect celebratory ambience. Guests were treated to chilled glasses of falooda, tea cakes & platters of delicious cut fruit.

Jimmy hopes to carry on this display of our rich heritage through an Exhibition Center he is currently working on. To be located in the Della Tower lobby, this Exhibition Center is being designed with the community youth in mind & so a lot of audio visual aids will be used to interest them to learn more about their culture and heritage.

“I wanted to create a place where the youth of our community would feel comfortable coming into even if they have forgotten their prayers, or just wanted to spend a few minutes in prayer. Most people don’t know a lot about our history, how we came to India, what happened after that. A lot of this is undocumented or can only been seen in relics. I wish to create a space with modern audio visuals that will attract the youth & tell them more about the religion they belong to. I want the youth to come here & enjoy the Exhibiton Center, the sculptures on the building, pray at the Dadgah & feel proud to be a Parsi’, said Jimmy Mistry at the inauguration.

Ever since Della Tower was built, it has not been celebrated as a symbol of Zoroastrian architecture in India or abroad. Placing the Dadgah Saheb in the building is an auspicious mark of the 10^th Anniversary of this unique building which is a marvellous display of Persian architecture with research & inspiration from early Iranian heritage such as Persepolis and Sousa.

“Unfortunately some people in the community tried to create a negative campaign against this event thinking that they could malign me before the upcoming Bombay Parsi Punchayet elections. But they do not realize that I have no intention of standing for elections. This Dadgah Saheb has been built here as a symbol of unity for the community, with the hope that Zoroastrians from far & wide will come to pray at the holy fire. With this event, we kickstart the activities of our Parsi Resource Group”, says Jimmy.

Noshir Dadrawala is known to most on our community as an eloquent speaker and a prodigious writer on religious and community related issues, or as a trustee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet.

Article published on Parsi Times

However, few know of his professional attainments in addition to the above. On 9^th June, 2018, Noshir completed two terms of office as Director of the Board of the globally renowned International Centre for Nonprofit Law (ICNL), which is headquartered in Washington DC (USA). He was the first Indian to be appointed on this Board in June 2012 and as per ICNL’s constitution, since no Director is allowed to continue beyond two terms of three years each, in recognition of his contributions, he has been requested to continue as a member of ICNL’s Advisory Board.

ICNL works in over a hundred countries worldwide with the mission to promote an enabling environment for civil society, philanthropy and civic participation around the world. Through ICNL, Noshir has also been contributing for the last several years to the Council on Foundation’s country codes and laws which are intended to assist grant-makers and their advisors when undertaking equivalency determinations for foreign grantees under IRS Revenue Procedure.

Noshir has actively worked with ICNL on several research programs, the most recent being, ‘The Philanthropy Law Reports’, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The report can be read online . ICNL’s President and CEO, Prof. Douglas Rutzen who teaches at Georgetown University Law Center and serves on the Advisory Board of the United Nations Democracy Fund, said, “You (Noshir) are an inspiration to me.  You’ve worked on issues of philanthropy and civil society for many years and despite challenges, you’ve retained your optimism, dedication, and constructive engagement.  It’s an honor working with you.”

Noshir has also contributed his expertise for the ‘Civic Freedom Monitor’ and his Report on India can be read at: http://www.icnl.org/research/monitor/india.html. Noshir’s country note on India can be read online at: https://www.cof.org/content/india.

ICNL’s Chairperson, Dr. Oonagh B. Breen who is also Professor of Law at the Sutherland School of Law, University College Dublin, while giving Noshir a formal farewell, referred to him as a “reliable Indian knowledge source.”

We are extremely saddened to hear about the passing away of Ambassador Jamsheed Kekobad Ardeshir Marker today June 21, 2018. He was one of the most illustrious Zarathushtis of the 20th Century and rose to become one of the most beloved diplomats of Pakistan and a man loved and respected all over the world.

I had the amazing fortune of meeting Ambassador Marker on two separate trips to Karachi. His fame was legendary. His stature as one of the most famous Pakistani diplomats on the world scene is beautifully documented in books and articles. However what really struck me was his humility, genuine demeanour and harked back to the time when men were honorable human beings, and as is said “they don’t make them like him anymore”. He graciously agreed to a video interview, that was far ranging on a variety of topics both about his professional and personal life. His candour, clarity of thought and nuanced opinions on what ails the world today was a masterclass from one of the great diplomats of the world.

Our deep condolences to his entire family and loved ones. While his loss is huge, it is also the opportunity to celebrate his life and all he stood for.

Garothman Behest Uncle Jamsheed.

Veteran Pakistani diplomat Jamsheed Marker passed away in Karachi on Thursday.

Isphanyar Bhandara confirmed the news to Dawn, saying that Marker, 95, had been quite frail of late.

Marker served the country as a diplomat for an illustrious 30-year-long career in more countries than any other diplomat including the United States, Ghana, France, Japan and Geneva.

Marker, born in 1922 to a Parsi family with ties to Pakistan’s shipping and pharmaceutical business, attended The Doon School in India’s Uttarakhand state for his early education. He later attended Forman Christian College University in Lahore.

Marker at the United Nations. ─ Photo courtesy Jamsheed Marker

He had a passion for cricket, and began playing cricket at FC College. He went on to become one of Pakistan’s earliest radio cricket commentators, along with Omar Kureishi. The two had amazing chemistry that made cricket commentary in Pakistan as popular as the sport itself.

According to journalist Susan Taylor, he joined the diplomatic service in 1965 and was appointed Pakistan’s ambassador to Ghana.

He has served in 10 different capitals, with nine further concurrent accreditations.

As ambassador to the US in 1986, he is said to have helped “negotiate” the Soviet military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Taylor has lauded Marker for his role in bringing out resolution of the East Timor conflict and its independence.

Marker with former UN secretary general Kofi Annan. ─ Photo courtesy Jamsheed Marker

Marker also served as under-secretary general at the United Nations, and as a special adviser to Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary general.

In September 2004, then prime minister Shaukat Aziz named Marker as ambassador-at-large for his years of service.

Marker was a lover of music and the arts. He spent a lot of time in his study where the walls are lined with bookracks, memorabilia, paintings and photographs.

He was awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz for his services in 2003.

‘World’s longest-serving’ Pakistani ambassador Jamsheed Marker passes away

Veteran Pakistani diplomat Jamsheed Marker  on Thursday passed away in Karachi, family sources said.

He is  listed in the Guinness Book of Records as having been “ambassador to more countries than any other person, according to Geo News.

He was Pakistan’s top envoy to the United States and more than a dozen other countries for more than three decades and earned the distinction as the “world’s longest-serving ambassador”.

Geo News reported that Marker’s funeral ceremony will be held at 3:30pm in Bath Island after which his body will be taken to the Tower of Silence in Mehmoodabad. 

What on Earth are those? I thought to myself shortly before landing in the Iranian city of Esfahan one summer. From the aeroplane window, I could see what looked like a cross between freakishly large anthills and obscure symbols left by an extraterrestrial race. Little could I – then only a teenager – have guessed what lay beneath their mysterious surfaces.

Article by Joobin Bekhrad | BBC

The ancient Iranians had a huge task not only to survive, but also to conquer almost all their then-known world

If, throughout the ages, there’s one element my people have revered more than fire – known as the ‘Son of God’ in the ancient Iranian faith of Zoroastrianism – it’s undoubtedly water. The Iran in which various Aryan tribes settled millennia ago was a rich, vast and variegated expanse of land, as it is today. It also, however, happened to be incredibly dry. The ancient Iranians had a huge task not only to survive, but also to conquer almost all their then-known world.

To find pure water in an arid and unforgiving landscape, and create lush vistas in (literally) the middle of nowhere, might have seemed an impossible undertaking. However, they found an effective and sustainable solution to Iran’s dearth of easily accessible water in the marvel of ancient Iranian engineering known as the kariz, more popularly known by its Arabic name, the qanat. Dating back some 3,000-odd years, and added to Unesco’s World Heritage list in 2016, the qanat is a testament to the ingenuity of the ancient Iranians.

The qanat was an ingenious way to source water in the middle of the Iranian desert (Credit: Credit: Design Pics Inc/Alamy)

Going underground

Simply put, a qanat is an underground channel that carries fresh water from an elevated source in the mountains to an opening at a lower altitude for the purposes of irrigation – a perfect solution in a region with an abundance of mountains. Once a possible source of fresh water is identified, indicated by the presence of an alluvial fan (a triangle-shaped sedimentary deposit at the base of a mountain), a shaft like one of the ‘anthills’ I’d seen is bored underground until the water source is reached. While in some cases not much digging is required, other shafts can extend up to 300m below ground. Numerous other anthill-like shafts are then bored at regular intervals to extract soil as well as provide ventilation for the workers excavating the earth below. To make things even more difficult, the slope of the qanat must be precisely calculated: too steep an incline, and the water’s downward force will erode the qanat; too flat, and the water won’t flow.

The complex system was well worth the effort, however. These underground aqueducts have allowed Iranians for millennia to access and transport water in some of its most arid regions. One of the most impressive examples is in the Fars province of south-west Iran. Here, the city of Persepolis was built by the Achaemenid Persians (550-330BC) in a hot and dusty plain surrounded by the Zagros Mountains. The location was not exactly endowed with nature’s bounty. Yet, by way of the qanat, Persepolis became the epicentre of an empire that stretched from Greece to India, and was regarded by many as the most luxurious city in the world, famed for its opulent palaces and exquisite gardens. As such, it’s easy to see why the distinctly Iranian hue of blue – known as abi in Persian, literally meaning ‘water-like’ – is nothing short of ubiquitous throughout the country.

Anthill-like shafts were bored into the earth to reach underground water sources (Credit: Credit: Hemis/Alamy)

The qanat system was so effective that it soon spread to other corners of the world, first through the ancient Persians’ conquests, and later by way of the Muslim Arabs, who adopted the system from the Persians and carried it with them as far as Andalusia, Sicily and North Africa. According to William B Hemsley in The Qanat: An Ancient Water Supply, so highly did the ancient Egyptians value the qanat system that the Persian emperor Darius the Great “was later honoured with the title of Pharaoh” in return for introducing it to them.

Play it cool

Not only does the qanat provide necessary drinking water, it also helps lower indoor temperatures. In Yazd in central Iran, where summers can be stiflingly hot, the qanat is as indispensable as it is ingenious. Used in combination with a badgir (an Iranian wind-catcher), the water in the qanat cools warm incoming air, which enters it through a shaft, before being released into a basement and expelled through the openings at the top of the badgir. In houses in Yazd, for instance, this ancient method of air conditioning is still widely used, and is an inseparable aspect of engineering and architecture.

Similarly, the qanat made it possible to store large quantities of ice year round in desert climates. Constructed in conical shapes made of an admixture of heat-resistant materials, and also making use of Iranian wind-catching technology, the yakhchal (literally ‘ice pit’) is an ancient Iranian form of refrigeration dating to around 400BC. In the winter months, water would be sourced from a qanat and left to freeze in the yakhchal’s basement enclosure before being cut into blocks and stored for year-round use. Air entering through the qanat shafts and cooled by the underground water would further assist in reducing temperatures.

The qanat has allowed Iranians in the country’s most arid regions to access and transport water for thousands of years (Credit: Credit: Andrea Ricordi, Italy/Getty Images)

‘We must cultivate our garden’

But the qanats weren’t only for physical sustenance; they also served a spiritual purpose. Despite their harsh environs, through this feat in engineering the ancient Persians were able to construct the renowned, Unesco-listed Persian garden.

Heavenly to behold and enjoy – in stark contrast to the parched surroundings – these lush oases, often arranged in four sections as a chahar bagh (literally ‘four gardens’) ­– are replete with trees, flowers, fountains and waterways, all meticulously arranged in harmony and symmetry to reflect the Zoroastrian adoration of nature and the elements. It’s not surprising that descriptions of paradise in the Abrahamic faiths have their origins in the Persian garden, which the Persians called pari-daida (denoting a walled garden), from which the word ‘paradise’ derives.

The qanat is as indispensable as it is ingenious

According to Iranian Studies scholar Touraj Daryaee, the ancient Persian gardens “held every sort of plant and flower, irrigated by running water, a most precious commodity for the inhabitants of the plateau.” The Bagh-e Shazdeh (Prince’s Garden) near Kerman in central Iran is a dazzling example: seen from above, it beggars belief that such a wonderland of greenery and gushing springs could exist surrounded by nothing but parched earth and rugged mountains. But gardens – which are, by and large, open to the public – can be seen all around the country.

When in my native Tehran, I can often be caught sipping on traditional Iranian chai, savouring the picturesque scenery, oblivious to the hustle and bustle on the outside streets, at the Bagh-e Khoshnevisan (Calligraphers’ Garden), Bagh-e Muzeh (Museum Garden) and Bagh-e Ferdows (Paradise Garden), all of which are in the north of the city. I mainly visit to escape the stifling summertime smog, and to enjoy the sound of fountains and singing birds amid leafy plane trees, shrubbery and flowerbeds, all of which evoke the florid poetry of Hafez and Sa’di.

Having access to water from the qanat allowed the ancient Achaemenid city of Persepolis to become the epicentre of the empire (Credit: Credit: Andrea Ricordi, Italy/Getty Images)

As with the qanat, the Persian garden not only continues to thrive in modern-day Iran – where it also informs much of carpet-making in terms of layout, design and themes – but also elsewhere around the world. The impact of the chahar bagh philosophy can be seen as far away as Versailles in France, the gardens and courtyards of the Alhambra and the palaces of Marrakech, having been imported by the Arabs in the case of the latter two.

However, the best examples outside Iran perhaps belong to Mughal-era India and Pakistan. Just as the Mughals considered Persian the apex of refinement when it came to language, so too did they the Persian garden where horticulture and landscape architecture were concerned. Using the chahar bagh as a template, the gardens of the Taj Mahal and Humayun’s Tomb, for example, were naturally called chahar baghs by the Mughals, and still are today.

A steady flow

Although technological innovations have reduced the reliance of Iranians on the qanat, the aqueducts are still prominent and widespread throughout the country. With tens of thousands of qanats in Iran today boasting a total distance comparable to that between the Earth and the moon, the ingenuity of the ancient Persians has more than stood the test of time. In accordance with the ancient Iranian/Zoroastrian reverence for nature and the elements, it is incomparable as a sustainable and environmentally friendly method of not only fresh water extraction, but air conditioning and refrigeration. As well, in rural contexts, it allows for the equitable distribution of water, and through the necessity of its ongoing maintenance brings about social collaboration.

The qanat made it possible for the ancient Iranians to cultivate lush gardens (Credit: Credit: tunart/Getty Images)

Despite Cyrus the Great’s world renown as a wise, just and compassionate leader, one can’t help but wonder what the empire he founded – the basis of modern-day Iran, barring politics – would have been without the aid of the qanat. What would the Persian army and people have done without access to fresh water? What would Persepolis – and the innumerable cities in the vast dominion of the Empire – have looked like, devoid of the pleasure gardens that forever changed the face of horticulture and landscape architecture?

The ingenuity of the ancient Persians has more than stood the test of time

For a people who, according to scholar of religion Bruce Lincoln, “… meant to conquer the entire known world in the name of establishing Paradise on Earth”, as Daryaee reports him to have posited, doing so from Iran’s often ruthless climate without the wonder of engineering that is the qanat might have been little more than a pipe dream.

As a part of its Silver Jubilee celebrations, the 71st East Bombay Zoroastrian Bharat Guide Group of the Young Zoroastrian Society (YZS) staged the concert, ‘God’s World – Light the Passion, Share the Dream’ on 9th June, 2018 in Mumbai. The event commenced with Chief Guest and Chairperson of Zoroastrian Bank, Homai Daruwalla along with Zoroastrian Guides Group Leaders Mackie Majra and Noshir Randeria to light the lamp, followed by a Humbandagi led by young Er. Sherezad Pavri.

Article by Delaveen Tarapore, Parsi Times Assistant Editor.

Guide Captain and Director of the show, Benaifer Kandawalla highlighted the extensive achievements of Homai Daruwalla, which was followed by Girl Guides clad in traditional Parsi gaaras performing the ‘Diya Dance’.

The show comprised entertainment sequences staged by their own bulbuls, cubs, guides and scouts, revolving around various guiding and scouting activities. They emphasized the motto, ‘Be Prepared’ to evolve into being responsible adults and spark the passion within so as to live life with love, truth and joy. Highlights included performances from ‘Cinderella’ by students of Little Hearts Pre-School; ‘A Tribute To Guiding’ skit, ‘Heal the World’ and dances performances by parents, Guiders and Scouters which received great applause.

The 71st East Bombay Zoroastrian Guide Group and 16th East Bombay Zoroastrian Scout Group put in great effort towards organising the event which included musical medleys choreographed by the group members. Attended by numerous past and present members, the event saw the release of a special ‘71st East Bombay Zoroastrian Bharat Guide Group’ souvenir celebrating the activities and spirit of the all Zoroastrian Guide group since its inception in 1993. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Flock Leader, Jasmine Wadia expressing gratitude to all who contributed in making the show a grand success.

Quotes:

“I have spent the last 25 years of my life with joy and happiness amongst children and elders of the 71st East Bombay Guide Group. I took the challenge of this group’s inception and have not looked back since.  Making memories of friendship and sisterhood with ZBG started with only 6 bulbuls, 8 guides and 4 rangers, on 1st August 1993.  Today, I see that our girls have achieved their goals in guiding, have successful professional lives and are running their homes with ease.” Group Leader, Mackie Majra

“Completing 25 years with the 71st East Bombay Guides brings back joyful memories of camping and camaraderie with this guiding company. Through these cherished friendships, we formed a common thread of a lifelong passion for Scouting and Guiding.  We all started as strangers and have woven ourselves into an invincible team.” – Flock Leader, Jasmine Wadia

“A few of these Scouts and Guides including me, got the opportunity to become Scouters and Guiders and sow more seeds into this movement. Nurturing these children and seeing them grow into happy and successful Scouts and Guides gives me enormous joy.” Guide Captain, Binaifer Kandawalla.

Distinguished diplomat Jamsheed Marker was truly one of a kind

There is no better description for Jamsheed Marker than the foreword penned by historian Stanley Wolpert for the former diplomat’s autobiography, Quiet Diplomacy: Memoirs of an Ambassador of Pakistan: “One of Pakistan’s wisest diplomats, whose career as its most brilliant Ambassador started in 1964, ending with the Security Council of the United Nations in 1994.”

Article by Kemal Jufri—Newsweek, AFP

Jamsheed Kaikobad Ardeshir Marker (1922-2018), who died at his home in Karachi on June 21 at the age of 95, served Pakistan for three decades from Ghana to Romania and Bulgaria, the USSR and Finland, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Japan, France, and the United States of America. The multilingual diplomat—he spoke six languages—was honored for his lifetime of service with Pakistan’s second-highest civilian award, the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, in 2003. However, it would not be an exaggeration to say that Pakistan recognized his skills and talent only after realizing how greatly admired he was among the international community. In 1997, then-U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan tapped him to head a campaign to persuade Indonesia to do the legal thing by East Timor and allow it to become independent. Marker was instrumental in the success of that mission, as outlined in his second book, East Timor: A Memoir of the Negotiations for Independence.

Born on Nov. 24, 1922, Marker was from a distinguished Parsi family of Quetta. He rose to prominence in the 1950s as a radio cricket commentator alongside Omar Kureishi. The diplomatic career that defined the rest of his life began in 1964 when Aziz Ahmed, the foreign secretary under President Ayub Khan, offered him an ambassador’s post in Africa. As detailed in his memoirs, Marker picked Ghana for his post because he hoped to witness and get to know Kwame Nkrumah, the Ghanaian revolutionary who led his nation to independence from Britain.

In his 1997 book Pakistan: A Dream Gone Sour, Marker’s friend and one-time co-author Roedad Khan says that they were both attracted to Marxism while studying at Lahore’s Forman Christian College. If this was the case, Marker’s disenchantment from that political philosophy likely began in Ghana and filled the years that followed, culminating in the career of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. His views on the Ghana founder can be applied to lot of socialist leaders that he also got to observe, and of course Bhutto of Pakistan, whom he would serve later on: “Nkrumah’s policies, an amalgam of dynamic idealism, vainglorious self-promotion and ruthless repression, constituted a vivid enigma whose early impact continues to resonate on the African continent.”

Charisma accompanied autocratic enforcement of socialist utopia tipped with nationalization and state sector dominance, eventually resulting in the perfect mix for dictatorship. Marker could see the crisis that could result from replacing capitalism with socialism without adequate planning and told Nkrumah that Ghana was a rich country with poor people.

There is wisdom in this remark. The post-colonial presumption was that the resources exploited by colonial states would now be fully available to the liberated nations and that, by replacing capitalism with socialism, these would enrich the people. Marker appeared to realize that they were wrong on both counts. Without making too much a point of it, he outlined the crises facing Pakistan in his survey of the Foreign Office led by Bhutto: “My third observation was that the policy orientation of the Foreign Ministry was more than a few points to the left of the center, and that it was being pushed further in that direction by Bhutto, despite Ayub’s reluctance and disinclination, and notwithstanding the undisguised suspicion of the Americans.”

Marker’s disenchantment with socialism was perhaps also linked to his career trajectory, which saw him represent Pakistan in many states that were trying to distance themselves from capitalism. After Ghana, he was sent to the Socialist Republic of Romania, which was followed by his first major mission in Moscow in 1969. The following year, election results prompted East Pakistan to succumb to a national campaign for independence. The global community reluctantly sided with the people of the newly minted Bangladesh. Moscow also backed India’s support for the new nation on the basis of a mutual defense treaty in 1972. Pakistan’s struggling democracy was perhaps summed up best by American diplomat Henry Kissinger, who told Marker: “Everywhere else in the world elections help to solve problems; in Pakistan they seem to create them.”

The author, Khaled Ahmed, right, interpreting for Marker in Moscow, 1971

While Marker’s autobiography is full of insights worth reading in full, the chapters on the USSR are particularly interesting in that they show the former diplomat in his true colors under pressure, standing up to the wrath of the Soviet leadership and defending a dictator at home who had mishandled the uprising in East Pakistan. It is apparent that this was not to Marker’s liking, but he was nonetheless the best ambassador Islamabad could have had in Moscow after losing East Pakistan. He was well-liked despite his tit-for-tat meetings with Soviet ministers and his circle of diplomatic friends was wide and his personal conduct immaculate, complete with an undying admiration for Russian literature and music. Everybody in the embassy thought he would be drummed out as a non grata ambassador, but just the opposite happened. When he left the Soviet Union in 1972 for a post in Canada, he was made a permanent citizen of Moscow by a visibly moved Soviet bureaucracy.

Marker, by now his nose for character quite developed, thought East Pakistan fell because of three men: “Mujibur Rehman, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and Yahya Khan, the first two because the compulsions of their fascist character precluded the compromise and sharing of power implicit in a democratic polity; and the third because he completely lost his earlier political acumen, and committed strategic blunders of the highest magnitude.”

Marker did not win the battle for East Pakistan in Moscow, but he benefited in the shape of the friends he made in the world of diplomacy: the Western world sent its best men as envoys to the USSR. His friends Gunnar Jarring and Javier Pérez de Cuéllar both played their roles at the U.N. By then, Pakistan had also recognized that he was a good man to have for matters of multilateral diplomacy and began asking him to attend important sessions at the U.N.

After a decade spent at postings in Tokyo, Geneva and Germany, Marker found himself in France in 1982. It was during this tenure that Shahnawaz Bhutto was found dead in Nice. Recalling the incident in his book, he says: “The final report, conveyed to me verbally by [French official] de Grossouvre after about six weeks, was that the incident had commenced in a restaurant in Nice, where the immediate Bhutto family, comprising Begum Nusrat, Benazir, Sanam, Murtaza, and Shahnawaz, together with their wives, had gathered for dinner. There was a heated conversation, reportedly over money matters, and the brothers came to blows.”

He goes on: “The party then broke up, and Shahnawaz and his wife, after returning to their hotel room, were followed by Murtaza, and another altercation took place between the brothers. The French police, when they arrived at the scene a little later found that Shahnawaz was dead and accordingly arrested his wife and Murtaza. The latter was released on production of a Syrian diplomatic passport and immediately fled the country. Shahnawaz’s wife was charged under a French law that imposes culpability on any person that fails to assist or call for assistance, in aid of a victim in distress.”

He concludes: “I was told that she had obtained a lawyer and was prepared to defend herself but was dissuaded from doing so by the family, and eventually left the country. Although no autopsy was carried out, the French thought that a drug overdose was the cause of death. I was told that the French Law Minister Robert Badinter, who was a friend of the Bhutto family, had helped in bringing the unsavory affair to a close.”

Four years later, in 1986, Marker was appointed Pakistan’s ambassador to the U.S., serving in the position for a year that would serve as the climax to his distinguished career. He has been attributed with helping negotiate the Soviet military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, while also dealing with General Zia-ul-Haq’s furtive development of nuclear weapons at home. Marker, thanks to his contacts across the world, was just the man to repeatedly postpone the many threats of sanctions facing Pakistan over its uranium enrichment, especially following the passage of the Pressler amendment a year earlier.

Writing in The New York Times in 1989, journalist Robert Pear noted Marker’s diplomatic success in the U.S.: “Jamsheed KA Marker, the Ambassador of Pakistan, is described as tough, shrewd and cultivated by State Department officials and members of Congress. Of all the diplomats in Washington, few work so intimately with the Reagan Administration as Mr. Marker. He has helped forge a joint strategy with the United States in one of the great geopolitical battles of the 1980s, the effort to expel the Soviet army from Afghanistan. In the process he has dramatically strengthened relations between Pakistan and the United States, American, officials say.”

For his part, Marker loved then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan, and was frequent host to diplomats Henry Kissinger and Zbigniew Brzezinski. He also got along with the intellectually aloof Egyptian diplomat Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and enjoyed the company of many U.S. Congressmen. Facilitated by his friend Roedad Khan, Marker also felt comfortable with Zia-ul-Haq and Ghulam Ishaq Khan. This bonhomie did not continue into the government of Benazir Bhutto, formed after elections in 1988, despite Marker’s brother-in-law Darayus Cyrus Minwalla’s enthusiasm for the PPP leader.

As he notes in his memoir, Marker chose to resign rather than continue under potentially trying circumstances: “In this instance, there were two other factors that motivated my decision. One was my reservations with regard to Benazir’s style and management, not to mention the choice of her collaborators as there was a whiff of incompetence and corruption. The other was my conviction that any Pakistani ambassador in Washington must have direct access to, and must possess the confidence of, the head of government. In my case this was clearly not so.”

In 1990, after the dismissal of Benazir Bhutto on corruption charges, Marker was appointed Pakistan’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations. He would continue in that role until 1995. Pakistan was part of the Security Council at the time, and he presided over its proceedings three times in rotation.

One of Pakistan’s elder statesmen, Jamsheed Marker’s passing leaves a void that might be impossible to fill. Patriotic, principled and fiercely intelligent, he fought to keep the country engaged with the global community even as internal forces backed isolation. We may never see his like again.

BPP chairman’s wife is contesting for trustee’s post, raising prospects of husband-wife pair in control of the community’s largest trust.

Ever since the Bombay Parsi Punchayet Trust adopted the universal franchise within the community in 2008, its elections have been dogged by controversy. It is no different this year, even though just one seat is up for grabs.

Article by Tariq Engineer | Mumbai Mirror

The election for that seat is scheduled on Sunday, and one of the contestants is Anahita Desai, wife of the trust’s chairman, Yazdi Desai. Anahita’s opponents say if she emerges victorious, it will result in the couple holding sway over the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP).

Anahita is the chief executive officer of the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis and has been a community activist for the past 15 years. On the strength of that experience, she is campaigning as someone who will get things done.

“They (BPP) have a very nice board in the sense that good decisions are taken but the follow-up to get things done to get a project moving is not very good. That is where they need someone,” she told Mirror. She had unsuccessfully contested the 2011 BPP trust elections.

The prospect of a husband-wife pair on the seven-member trust has left a few in the community uneasy about the propriety of having two people who are related on the seven-member board. The Desais have put such a criticism down to opposition politics.

“If people are going to judge me only as someone’s wife and disregard my capabilities, my track record of community service, the time that I can give, then I find it quite ridiculous. Sorry to say, it is a very politically motivated thing,” Anahita said.

She also pointed to examples of public charitable trusts within the community where there have been husband and wife teams. “There is Mr and Mrs Tamboly who manage the World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust Funds. And the Ahmedabad Parsi Punchayet had two couples on the board. I don’t know what the big deal is,” she said.

Yazdi said the criticism was a result of the enmity between him and Dinshaw Mehta, the previous chairman. Mehta was accused of misappropriation of the trust funds and a criminal case was filed in court. Mehta’s son Viraf is one of the current trustees.

Yazdi said all steps have been taken to ensure impartiality, and that he had recused himself from all the logistical and administrative decisions to do with the election. He campaigned for his wife, which led to some disapprovals. “Because I am campaigning for my wife, I have recused myself from the administrative side. There is no conflict,” he said.

Xerxes Dastur, who is the other leading candidate, has Mehta’s support but campaigned as an independent. His main plank has been better transparency and professionalism in the BPP, and he did not wish to be drawn into the husband-wife debate.

“I am not bothered by that issue. I am only standing for myself and I am putting forward my strengths as a chartered accountant and a professional. I am not bothered by who is contesting against me,” he said.

The three other candidates, Ratan Patel, Kersi Sethna, and Eric Dhatigara, are not expected to provide much of a contest.

According to an editorial in Parsiana, a community magazine, if Anahita wins, Yazdi will be in full control of the board so long as he does not alienate the other three trustees who typically vote alongside him (Noshir Dadrawala, Kersi Randeria and Zarir Bhathena).

Jehangir Patel, the editor of Parsiana, didn’t think there was much difference on the issues between Anahita and Dastur.

The election, he said, would depend on “whether voters want a husband and wife team on the board”.

To this, Anahita said, “It’s a seven-member board. Out of that, if two are a family, what about the other five? If elected, I would not be a signatory on any of the trust’s bank accounts as aprecautionary measure.”

When she was asked about the possible disagreements with her husband (assuming she was elected to the trust’s board), she said they would try to convince each other but they could always agree to disagree. Yazdi, however, added adisagreement was unlikely.

“It will be quite doubtful because we have a common agenda, ideology, and goals,” he said.

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) today approached the Bombay High Court seeking an urgent hearing on a plea filed by the Parsi community in the city opposing the alignment of the Mumbai Metro III project. The MMRC told a bench of Justices AS Oka and RI Chagla that its tunnelling and drilling work for the Colaba-Bandra-Seepz route would reach upto the site of two of the Parsi fire temples in the city in about 25 days from now. The community has been opposing such tunnelling work alleging that the same might cause severe damage to the temples.

Article in Free Press Journal

In May this year, several members of the community and some high priests from two Parsi temples had approached a vacation bench of the HC opposing the drilling work for two tunnels for the metro III line. The petitioners told the HC that the MMRC was making two tunnels near Azad Maidan as part of the work on the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro III corridor.

As per the present plan of MMRC, these tunnels will pass directly under two fire temples and Atash Behrams (sacred fires), one at the junction of Princess Street, and another at Kalbadevi in South Mumbai, both heritage sites. The petitioners said the proposed work, in its current form, will lead to desecration of the holy fires, threaten the structural safety of the temple buildings, both of which are heritage structures, and that the wells at the temples might run dry because of the tunnelling work.

The MMRC, however, had denied that it’s work would cause any damage to the temples. The bench led by Justice Oka has now scheduled the hearing on the pleas for July 17 this year. It also granted a week’s time to the MMRC to file an affidavit clearing its stand on the issue.