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cover story FPZAI meeting A meeting of the Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India was recently held in Mumbai. Here is a round-up of the two-day meet and all the topics that were discussed… Seen on the main table (l-r): Mr. Muncherji Cama, Mrs. Anavaz Mistry, Mr. Mancher Mubarakai, Mr. Khojeste Mistree, Mr. Yazdi Desai, Mr. Dinshaw Mehta, Mr. Jimmy Mistry, Mr. Tehmton Anklesaria, Mr. Darayus Master, Mr. Kerfegar Antia and Mrs. Armaity Tirandaz T he Executive Council Meeting and the Annual General Meeting of the Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India (FPZAI) was held in the hall adjacent to the Banaji AtashBehram at Charni Road on February 11 and 12, 2012. Prior to the meeting, a jashan was performed at the Banaji AtashBehram. Delegates from under mentioned anjumans and punchayets in India attended the meeting: Ankleshwar, Bardoli, Bhagwa, Bhatha, Bharuch, Bhesan, Billimora, Chikhli, DamanVapi, Davier, Dumas, Gandevi, Godhra, Illav, Karanj, Khergam, Kutch, Mahuva, MandviMangrol, Navsari, Pardi, Rajkot, Shri Surat Parsi Punchayet, Surat Punchayet Trust Funds, Saronda, Tavdi, Udvada Sodfalia Behdin Anjuman, Vadodara, Valsad, Vansda, Vesu and Vyara – all representing the West Zone ‘B’ Anjumans. Abu Road, Badnera, Borivali Suburban Association, Dahanu Road Zorastrian Agiary Trust Fund, Deolali-Nasik, Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman, Panchgani, Pune, Satara, Solapur, Thana, Zai Bordi and Bombay Parsi Punchayet from West Zone ‘A’ anjumans. Belgaum, Madras, and Vizag attended the meeting from the South Zone and Bhopal, Kanpur, Chhattisgarh, Jabalpur, Jhansi, Mhow and Ratlam from the North Zone. None from East Zone. Representatives from Jam-e-Jamshed, Parsiana and Parsi Voice were also present. The meeting commenced with a Humbandagi. A minute of silence was observed in memory of Mr. Behram K. Laskari, ex-Chief Executive Bombay Parsi Punchayet and Mr. Hoshang Debara of Agra. Then, Mr. Dinshaw R. Mehta, in his presidential address, welcomed one and all. Minutes of the last meeting, held on March 12 and 13, 2011, at Valsad, which had been circulated earlier, were confirmed with small modifications. The audited accounts for the year ended March 31, 2011, were considered and adopted unanimously. Presidentship of West Zone ‘B’ was the only contested election. After quite a bit of animated discussion, the President exercised his right under Rule 10 of the Federation, on the ground that their desired discontinuation even if treated as their resignation had not been brought before the Executive Council or the General Body, nor accepted by them and hence allowed these anjumans to continue as members of FPZAI as well as accepted the Udvada Sodfalia Behdin Anjuman as Membership A controversy arose regarding the continuation of membership of six anjumans of Gujarat — Udvada, Shri Surat Parsi Anjuman Punchayet, Bhagwa, Bhatha, Bhesan and Karanj — especially as Vice The BPP Review 18 March 2012 Mr. Darayas Master cover story Mr. Sarosh J. Maneckshaw Mr. Kerfegar Antia permanent representative on the Executive Council as per the FPZAI Constitution. Subsequently, Godhra and Chhatisgarh were enrolled as new members. Vizag – South Zone; and Mr. Tehmton Anklesaria of Ratlam – North Zone. Mr. Khojeste P. Mistree, BPP Trustee, and Mr. Pervez B. Mehta, Trustee of Bardoli, were reappointed as Jt. Honorary Secretaries. Mr. Yazdi Desai, Trustee of the BPP, and Mr. Merwan Irani, Chairman of Iranian Zorastrian Anjuman, will continue as Jt. Honorary Treasurer, and Mrs. Arnavaz Mistry, Trustee of the BPP, as Executive Secretary. The five co-opted members on the Executive Council are: Mr. Farrokh Rustomji of Ahmedabad and Mr. Farokh Irani of Pune (West Zone ‘A’); Mr. Pervez Mehta and Mr. Percy Buhariwala (West Zone ‘B’); and Mr. Cyrus Mancherji of Mhow (North Zone). Election of Office Bearers For the Vice Presidentship of West Zone ‘B’, there were two candidates – Mr. Darayas Master, Chairman of Surat Parsi Punchayet, and Mr. Areez Khambatta of Ahmedabad, and in order to avoid acrimony between two stalwarts, Mr. Dinshaw Mehta and Mr. Yazdi Desai used their good offices to arrive at an amicable compromise solution, namely, during the forthcoming biennium, these gentlemen would share one year each. The sitting Vice President of West Zone ‘B’, Mr. Areez Khambatta, graciously agreed to step down during the first year when Mr. Darayas Master will hold the post. Mr. Khambatta will take over in the second year. The other Vice Presidents were elected unanimously as they were the only candidates for their respective posts. These were Mr. Mancher Mubarakai of Dahanu – West Zone ‘A’; Mr. Kerfegar Antia representing Mrs. Arnavaz Mistry Mr. Khojeste Mistree Keynote Address Mr. Sarosh J. Maneckshaw presented a very lucid discourse on ‘Transformation and Loss of Parsi Identity’. We Parsis have a unique identity, which is defined by our religion, ethnicity, and culture and traditions. Dating back to the Achaemenian times, Zoroastrianism has been an ethnic religion Mr. Yazdi Desai The BPP Review 19 for over 3000 years. Even after our first migration and arrival in India, we remained a non-proselytising community with strong emphasis on ritual purity. In the 18th century, we had the calendar controversy, with a month’s difference between the Kadmi and Shahenshahi calendars, but no change in religion or ethnicity. Religion remained unchanged and there were no interfaith marriages. In 1787, the BPP was given legal rights by the government, which led to the illegalising of bigamy and child marriages. Since 1836, the BPP went into decline and lost its moral authority. The influence of western education led to religious reforms but ethnicity remained unchanged. The second migration to North America was between 1960 and 1990. Currently, 20 per cent of the Parsis live in North America. They have rapidly abandoned their ritual traditions. Many have stopped wearing their sadra and kusti. The Jafariyan Movement started in 1990, and advocates prosetylisation and conversion. Religion has been dichotomised between Parsis and neo-Zoroastrians. Ethnicity is being lost. Mr. Areez Khambatta March 2012 cover story The word ‘Parsi’ is not mentioned anywhere by Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA), which is promoting a neo-Zoroastrian identity that is ignorant about religion. We Parsis are going through a crisis of self-esteem. The Parsi identity will disappear in North America in two generations. There are now three groups – the Parsis from India, Zarthostis from Iran and neo-Zarthostis or converts. FEZANA is moving towards a Zoroastrian identity and away from the Parsi identity. We are losing our Parsipanu. When asked about his recommendations, Mr. Maneckshaw suggested having more religious classes for children. Mr. Jimmy Mistry The Global Working Group (GWG) BPP Trustee Mr. Jimmy Mistry and Chairman Mr. Dinshaw Mehta advocated a dialogue and get together on a common platform, encouraging an exchange of views and interaction between representatives of elected regional bodies FPZAI (representing India), FEZANA (representing USA and Canada), ZTFE (representing UK and Europe), Iran and other associations, e.g. Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Pakistan. Forty per cent of the Parsis live outside of India. It was specifically mentioned that WZO has been kept out as it is not a Federation. This prompted Mrs. Anahita Desai to question: “This GWG does not define who is a Parsi? It accepts a Zoroastrian as anyone who professes the Zoroastrian faith. Both WZO and FEZANA have changed their constitution, wherein they admit even non-Zoroastrian spouses as members with equal rights, including the right to vote and to become office bearers. How is such a body going to protect and enhance the interest of Parsi Irani Zoroastrians worldwide?” Ms. Tannaz Parakh expressed apprehensions about this GWG. It was previously labelled the Coming Together Round Table (CTRT) and had its meetings in Dubai in 2009, in Mumbai in January 2011, and in London in October 2011. She informed all the delegates that there is a structure where all the regions will have one vote. But it was immediately pointed out that this is similar to all the punchayets and anjumans in India having one vote in FPZAI and that FEZANA does not use the word ‘Parsi’. The GWG will represent all the Zoroastrians of the world, including converts. “Is the BPP not compromising its own position as the apex body of Parsis the world over?” she questioned. Mr. Jimmy Mistry explained that coming together is only for social, cultural and economic issues and not religious issues. Mr. Hoshang Vakil explained the background of the cosmopolitan world body – the GWG is new wine in an old bottle. Mr. Arzan Wadia, on his website Parsi Khabar, promotes Ali Jaffarey, a born Muslim. The BPP is compromising its supremacy as the apex body, where each of the regions will have one vote in the proposed GWG, he cautioned. BPP Trustee Mr. Khojeste Mistree warned, “We are giving a sense of power to associations in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Mr. Sarosh Maneckhaw, yesterday, in his presentation, told us how Parsi identity is lost in FEZANA. The previous experience of the cosmopolitan world body shows that there is a hidden agenda of further weakening the Parsi identity. In North America, the conversion rate is high for political reasons. Non-Zoroastrians want to become Zoroastrians. Do network, but do not agree to form a structure. For exchange programmes, exchange must be between Parsi Irani youths only and not just Zoroastrian youths or children of converts”. Muncherji Cama, when asked for his views, said: “It is nice to socially interact, but who are we to exchange with? How are we going to police who is a Parsi or who is a neo-Zoroastrian?” Mrs. Pervin Jehangir said, “There is no harm in talking, but we do not need to join them. One does not have to become a Christian or British to talk to an Englishman. Before FPZAI makes any commitment, it must first get the consent of all its member anjumans”. Muncherji Cama again interjected, “Talk but in no way should it be understood that FPZAI accepts Zoroastrians who are not Parsis”. Many delegates felt that Parsis in India should not be isolated from those around the world, while others felt that we have survived only because we have retained our identity as Parsi Zoroastrians. Had we intermarried or converted we would have ceased to exist as a distinct community. Ultimately, it was decided that we could continue our dialogue with the other federations for social, cultural and economic issues without forming a structural body, and only having an informal get together of federations. In view of the sentiments of the members, the President of FPZAI has issued the following clarification to all traditional and mainstream Zoroastrians as under: Dear All, Once again the traditionalists seem to have misunderstood the coming together meetings with the inherent danger of alienating mainstream Zoroastrians. The Trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet have had three coming together meetings with FEZANA and ZTFE in Dubai, Mumbai and London, and in all of them it has been made clear that these meetings are meant ONLY for bringing together PARSI IRANI ZOROASTRIANS AND NO OTHERS FOR SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC NETWORKING AND INTERACTION. The Trustees assure all members of our community, of whatever shade, of this firm commitment. I hope that the fears of the traditionalists are allayed with this clarification. Warm regards to all, Dinshaw Mehta Mr. Muncherji Cama The BPP Review 20 March 2012 cover story Mr. Merwan Irani Mr. Dinshaw Mehta Report of Anjumans • Billimora Anjuman is willing to help any anjuman who needs funds for their agiary or dakhma. • Pune has 69 acres of land which has been fenced by Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla. Two hundred and thirty two flats allotted at Lullanagar for poor and needy Parsis. • The Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman has disbursed more than R40 lakh towards education, medical aid and poverty relief. Merwan Irani, President of IZA, who fought for the Tithal sanatorium right up to the Supreme Court and won the case, has entrusted the land to the Valsad Parsi Anjuman. Mr. Pervez Irani stated that the government is giving forest land to NGOs for growing bawal at a nominal rent for a period of 30 years. He suggested that the cultivation of bawal be taken up to ensure a steady supply of kathi to our places of worship. • The Surat Parsi Punchayet has provided 109 housing units to Parsi families. Nariman Home and Infirmary is run by the punchayet and now has a well-equipped physiotherapy centre. The SPP has planted Mrs. Armaity Tirandaz Mr. Tehmton Anklesaria 7,000 bawal trees on Dakhma lands. R14,88,000 was given for poverty relief, education and medical aid. • Thana has 1,100 Parsis, a 232-year-old agiary and 312-year-old dakhma. • Murzban Wadia, President of the Davier Anjuman, informed the attendees that there is a dakhma in Gowada village managed jointly by the Dahanu, Davier and Zai Bordi Anjumans. Mr. Boman Irani, who runs an old-age home in Dahanu, has planted bawal trees and made a nice garden there. • Khushman Tamboli of Rajkot suggested a list of Parsi lawyers willing to give guidance to anjumans be made available, with their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses. He also suggested that WZCC could help to develop the land resources of various anjumans. Rajkot Dadgah is open from 7.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. • Vyara has a dadgah, dharamshalla, dakhma and a community hall. Anjumans were requested to get their land records updated with the government. • Mr. Tehmton Anklesaria, Vice President of the North Zone, arranged a two-day trip to Udvada, in which 60 Parsis ranging from The meeting in progress The BPP Review 22 March 2012 12 to 85 years in age participated. The Mhow Anjuman had given custodianship to FPZAI in 1995. Lucknow, Chhattisgarh and Godhra have approached the federation for custodianship. Mr. Anklesaria requested defunct anjumans (those having a Parsi population of less than 50 Parsis) to entrust custodianship to FPZAI. • Mr. Khojeste Mistree, BPP Trustee, informed that 222 babies were born over the past five years due to the success of the BPP’s Fertility Assistance Scheme under Dr. Anahita Pundole. • The BPP gives incentive for second child of R3,000 per month till the child reaches the age of 18. The BPP gives incentive of R5,000 per month for every third and fourth child born after January 1, 2012, till that child attains the age of 18. • Mr. Farokh Rustomji gave an overview of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce’s (WZCC) activities. The WZCC, along with ZYNG, organised a successful networking session, in which there were 75 participants. • BPP Trustee Mrs. Armaity Tirandaz highlighted the need for a space or building in Mumbai, which can be used to cover story 466 youngsters have been enrolled, of which 324 are boys and 142 are girls. Intimation about matrimonial meets is sent by e-mail to those registered. BPP Trustee Mr. Jimmy Mistry very kindly provides the premises as also arranges for music and snacks for the meetings. This year, two picnics were organised. A talk by Ervad Dr. Ramiyar P. Karanjia on the importance of marriage in the Zoroastrian religion was organised. Youth Activities Mr. Pervez Mehta start a centre for the care of children with special needs. • BPP Trustee Mrs. Arnavaz Mistry informed the federation attendees about the activities of the BPP Matrimonial Bureau, which provides a platform for Parsi youth to meet andfindmarriagepartnerswithinthe community. Monthly meetings have been organised over the past two years, where A synopsis of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet’s flagshipeventeachyear,TheHoliday ProgrammeforYouth(HPY),whichhas celebrated its Silver Jubilee, was given by Ms. Azmin Mistry and Mr. Jamshed Master. FOZYA President Mr. Shavir Irani spoke about the All India Zoroastrian Youth Congress, organised jointly with ZYNG last year, in which 220 boys and 220 girls took part. Viraf Dinshaw Mehta then spoke about Zoroastrian Youth for the Next Generation (ZYNG),asocialplatformforyoungsters started by the BPP in December 2009, and its works and events. ZYNG has over 4,000 members, ranging in age from 16 to 40 years. In the two years of its existence, it has organised 50 events including three speed dating meets, which has resulted in quite a few successful matches being made. Poverty Amelioration Scheme A contribution of R6 lakh each was received from Mr. Areez Khambatta and the BPP. Between January 2010 and March 2012, the scheme has given aid to 79 Parsis, totalling R7,45,085. Next Meeting The next meeting of FPZAI Executive Council will be held at Jabalpur in the last quarter of 2012. Acknowledgement A sumptuous lunch and snacks on both February 11 and 12, 2012, were provided by Mr. Jimmy Gadiwalla. The sound system and video recording was done by Farhad Cooper of Samsons. Photographs courtesy Parsiana. THE ZOROASTRIAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD (SCHEDULED BANK) “THE BANK FOR ALL INDIANS” Wishes a very Happy & Prosperous New Year to all Zoroastrians We Offer CORE BANKING SOLUTIONS (CBS) ANYWHERE BANKING SMS BANKING ATM CARDS SEVERAL SCHEMES OF TERM DEPOSITS WITH 0.50% EXTRA FOR SR. CITIZENS SWEEPING FACILITY FROM /TO TERM DEPOSITS UNIT WITHDRAWALS FROM DEPOSITS CREDIT FACILITIES NEFT & RTGS FUND TRANSFER FACILITIES LIFE & GENERAL INSURANCE MUTUAL FUNDS A BANK THAT IS BIG ON TRADITION & TRUST You may contact us for further enquiries: Corporate Office: Nirlon House, 5th Floor, Dr.Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 030. Tel: 66661010 Fax: 66661810 EMAIL: [email protected] Website: www.zoroastrianbank.com The BPP Review 23 March 2012 cover story The Office Bearers of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India President Dinshaw Mehta Vice Presidents Mancher Mubarakai West Zone A Darayas Master West Zone B Honorary Secretaries Khojeste Mistree Pervez Mehta Areez Khambatta West Zone B Kerfegar Antia South Zone Honorary Treasurers Yazdi Desai The BPP Review 24 March 2012 Merwan Irani Tehmton Anklesaria North Zone Executive Secretary Arnavaz Mistry
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