A BOOST FOR THE PARSIS
VOL. 4 - ISSUE 49 :: PAGES 24 :: ` 2/MARCH 28, 2015 ROJ TIR MAH AVA fp¡S> suf$ dpl Aphp„$ RNI NO. MAHBIL/2011/39373 Regn. No. MCS/101/2015-17 WWW.PARSI-TIMES.COM 05$+0$'$1'7+(3$56,6 O n the 27th of March, 2015, Chairperson of the National Commision of Minorities, respected Mr. Naseem Ahmad and the Parsi Resperesentative at the National Commission of Minorities, Mr Dadi E. Mistry sat down for a discussion on important LVVXHVRIWKH&RPPXQLW\ZLWKLQ,QGLDDWWKH%33RIÀFHZLWKDFURVV section of representatives of the Community. $OPRVWÀIW\SHRSOHFURZGHGLQWRWKH%33%RDUGURRPLQ0XPEDL WREHSDUWRIWKHGLVFXVVLRQDQGWRSXWIRUZDUGLVVXHVWKDW3DUVLV as a minority face in India. Amongst them were representatives of YDULRXV$QMXPDQV DV IDU RII DV %DUGROL$KPHGDEDG 6XUDW HWF representatives of the Parsi Press, BPP Trustees and Trustees and decision makers of other Parsi Organizations. The agenda consisted of numerous points and each was DGGUHVVHGDIWHUDWKRURXJKOLVWHQLQJWRE\0U$KPDG At the end of the meeting Mr. Ahmad recognized the interaction as a formal opportunity to interact with the Community. He outlined the role of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) not as a OHJDORUJRYHUQPHQWRUJDQL]DWLRQEXWDZDWFKGRJRIVRUWVDQGDQ important constituent of the human rights enforcement mechanism LQWKHFRXQWU\ZLWKDPDQGDWHFOHDUO\GHÀQHGLQWKH1&0DFW <HWKHDGPLWWHGWKDWEHFDXVHRIWKHGZLQGOLQJQXPEHURI3DUVLV WKHUH LV DQ DGGHG UHVSRQVLELOLW\ RQWKH1&0DWD6WDWHDQG&HQWUDO level to ensure that grievances are taken note of and all efforts made to redress demands. 0U $KPDG REVHUYHG WKDW WKH PDLQ SUREOHP RI WKH &RPPXQLW\ is the youngsters looking outside for greener pastures leaving the elders to look after the Community. Though he admits that the NCM’s hands are tied with multiple issues put forward, (for example the NCM ACT clearly states that anything pending in a Court of Law is outside the purview of their work), he says and we quote, “I can assure you that if there are issues that fall within our mandate, I am sure we will never give \RXFDXVHWRFRPSODLQDERXWHLWKHURXUVOXJJLVKQHVVRUDOXNHZDUP DSSURDFKWRLW«%XWDV,VDLGZHFDQQRWJREH\RQGRXUPDQGDWHµ He continued, “In the changing political scenario of the country ZHÀQGWKDWRXUZHOOUHDVRQHGDGYLVRULHVDUHEHLQJFKDOOHQJHGLQ courts of Law. And thanks to the wisdom of the courts they are JUDQWLQJ D VWD\ DOVR 7LPHOLQHV DUH DOVR EH\RQG RXU FRQWURO DV Thane Prayers >> Pg. 09 Bhikha Behram Blessings >> Pg. 10 we issue advisories to other *RYHUQPHQWERGLHVDQGFDQQRW tell time frames. However we will have the courage to take XSHDFKDQGHYHU\LVVXHµ Contd. on Pg. 10 A BOOST FOR THE PARSIS $ VHQLRU &RPPXQLW\ PHPEHU KDV VDLG WKDW WKH 3DUVHH *HQHUDO +RVSLWDOV·GHFLVLRQWRDGGDQHZEXLOGLQJWRWKHH[LVWLQJKRVSLWDO ZLWKEHGVRQWKH3*+&DPSXVZLOOEHDSURÀWDEOHYHQWXUHIRU the Community. The PGH is running at a 10 Crore loss a year and WKHQHZVHFXODUEXLOGLQJZLOODOVRJLYHWKHH[LVWLQJEHG3DUVL RQO\IDFLOLW\WKHDGGHGEHQHÀWVRI05,&76FDQDQGRWKHUVWDWHRI the art facilities that were previously not on campus. 02 Editorial SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015 Dear Readers, D JJust yesterday, I attended the meeting convened at the BPP to introduce some woes of the Z Zoroastrians of India to Mr. Naseem Ahmad, the Chairperson of the National Commission fo for Minorities, the watchdog of the Government of India for her Minorities. A few simple oobservations stand out. AApart from Nergish Sunavala (also from the Press), ZYNG founder Pearl Tirandaz and m myself, each and everyone there was well over the age of forty. I do believe that we sorely QHHGWRÀQGDZD\WRHQFRXUDJHPRUH\RXQJVWHUVWRSDUWLFLSDWHLQWKHVHW\SHVRIGLVFXVVLRQV<RXQJVWHUVZKRKDYH the energy and the new age wisdom of this digital and fast paced age can contribute immensely to the proceedings and the actions taken forward. After the meeting as I spoke to some of the Anjuman representatives who had travelled all the way here to attend the discussion, I realized that the issues discussed have prevailed for the longest time and that there exists within them the dedicated virtues of patience and passion to address these problems. This is indeed commendable. The discussion led to some painful truths. As part of a Secular India, Parsis had decades ago relinquished authority of most of their Institutions for the greater good and welfare of the Nation. Today, there seems to be no place for the gentile and fair attitude of our ancestors and we have been submerged under the foundation of a maddening and fast paced, cut throat, ego-driven competitive world of New India. Our numbers may be dwindling but our legacy is shrinking even faster. Each and every story that unfolded at the green conference table of the BPP Boardroom was a story of what we gave away in good faith and the astonishment of how no good faith has been returned to us. None the less, I draw a lesson from those older and much wiser than myself who sat around me in that room, a lesson LQSDWLHQFH«DQG,KRSHDQGSUD\WKDWZHXQGHUVWDQGRXU&RPPXQLW\,VVXHVEHWWHUDQGÀQGDZD\WRVROYHWKHP LQNHHSLQJZLWKRXUWHQHWVRI*RRG7KRXJKWV*RRG:RUGVDQG*RRG'HHGVDVHWRIWKLQJVVRGLIÀFXOWWRIROORZLQ todays’ India. ,QRWKHUQHZVWKH,VVXHWRGD\LVÁRRGHGZLWKDÁXUU\RIDFWLYLW\ZLWKLQWKH&RPPXQLW\DFURVVWKLVKXJHFLW\RI0XPEDL and the rest of the Country. Enjoy it with your family and a cup of chai! Freyan. .XGRV37 Dear Editor, Hearty and sincere good wishes to you and all at Parsi Times for the (Jamshedi) Navroze. May you prosper and stout-heartedly convey to your Readers the wisdom your young years have passed on to the Bawajis everywhere! Nobody is too power-driven to hearken to trans-generational Wisdom! Your choice of the Fallaci extract is very pertinent, especially in our partisan times. I wish only to point out that your “I believe no one has ever said it better” is way off the mark: there was once an Ancient Iranian Sage who had said it far, far better and more trenchantly – one Zarathushtra Spitaman, in his wonderful synthesis of his Gathas ZKHUH RQH ÀQGV DQ DEXQGDQFH of Goodness, Truth and Decency among the several Mazda-inspired precepts. Their acceptance is always through individual freewill and choice. Do you suppose that the majority of Parsis will ever bring themselves to their study without LQVWDQW H[FXVHV RI ÀQGLQJ EHWWHU things to do? Whilst I do realize that the very name of your weekly – Parsi Times – might FRQÀQHWKHLULGHQWLW\LQ3DUVLLVP I would like to indicate that we are all self-declared Zoroastrians! Is that believable? With the best regards and high esteem of this London Bawa. Farrokh Vajifdar &RQJUDWXODWLRQV37 Dear Editor, Your issue of last Saturday was also SUPERB. Really appreciate Freyan’s ‘From the Editor’s Desk’ every week and the Navsari coverage was too good. Kudos to Dinshawji Tamboly for all his and his team’s hard work and for all the assistance provided to PT team. Navsari is really an ideal Zarthosti gaam to retire to. Thanks and best regards. Rusi Mistry :KRGRPLQDWHVZKRP" Dear Editor, This refers to letters of Dinyar Kolha and Khushroo Bativala appearing in PT dated 28 February & 7 March respectively. I wholeheartedly endorse their concern for gender bias prevailing in our Community. If they expected the Community to respect them, why do the council of High Priests not deliberate on this issue and resolve it? Since excommunication is not prevalent in our Community, no one including Priests have the right to restrain anyone duly initiated into our Religion and practicing the same from entering Agiaries/ Atash Behrams. However, the same is practiced arbitrarily. Scholars and Ph.D. holders with academic background cannot claim themselves to be spiritually advanced souls. The intermarried should realize that their children are deprived of the right to claim the Religion of birth since both parents profess a different Religion. Those who claim that all Religions are man-made are ignorant about the exalted spiritual stature of Prophet ordained to establish different Religions for our salvation. The ÀGHOLW\ RI FKLOGUHQ RI PL[HG marriages is jeopardized as both WKHLU SDUHQWV WU\ WR LQÁXHQFH them towards their respective Religion. Since women are subjected to subordination in the Patriarchal Society, Religion serves the purpose of a scapegoat for them to gain an edge over men. We let the wives of intermarried Parsi men practice their Religion but deprive our women of the same for marrying outside the fold. Can we substantiate this maneuver with any reason or logic? We are trapped in our own web. Nobody has ever succeeded in alchemizing. Our men should own the responsibility for promoting male chauvinism to the detriment of our Community. ,I\RXULQÁDWHGHJREXUVWVGRQRW blame me. Maneck Panthaky 7KDQN\RX Dear Editor, This is in reference to Mr. Rumi Umrigar’s letter published by you in the edition of The Parsi Times dated 21-2-2015 appreciating “God and Gustad”, a series carried by your publication. It humbles and makes me feel proud, all at the same time, for the kind words he has used to describe my effort. Along with him I wish to thank Khushnuma W. Baria, Vicky Mevawala, Pervin H. Aibada, Khurshid Mistry, Manisha Singh, Farida S. Govekar and ALL the others who took time off to appreciate and enjoy reading the series and actually found the Wanted Parsi Bride PARSEE HANDSOME EDUCATED BOY, 33, WORKING ON CRUISE SHIP, HAVING OWN ACCOMMODATION INVITES EDUCATED, WORKING GIRL. Contact: 9167051003 / 66764837 time to write in their comments. And of course, Team Parsi Times, and you, Freyan... who made it possible. Thank you everyone… and Ushta Te to all my dear Readers. The Reluctant Writer 0U5DWDQ7DWD<RXUNLQG LQWHUYHQWLRQSOHDVH Dear Editor, A 78 year old lady by the name of Mani Dara Vaghchhipawalla resides along with her son Nevil at Tata Blocks, Bandra. The Tata Blocks Trust is managed by the Bai Hirabai Tata Memorial Trust. Mani has served NELCO (A Tata Enterprise) and retired in 1996 after 36 years of service. Her Late husband Dara Nasarvanji Vaghchhipawalla worked for Tata Chemicals Ltd. and retired in 1993 after 32 years of service. Her son Nevil also worked for Tata Chemicals Ltd. for a period of 9 years until 2002. This family is indebted to Tatas. Mani’s sister Roda Soli Jesang (her husband Late Soli Rustomji Jesang who also served Tata Chemicals Ltd. for over 40 years) DOVR UHVLGHG LQ WKH ÁDW DERYH KHUÁDWLQ7DWD%ORFNV5RGDZDV admitted to the ICU on January 26, 2015 as she had suffered a massive brain hemorrhage and passed away on February 4, 2015 at 12.30 pm. Mani and her son were the only blood relatives who lived close by. On February 5, 2015 at about 11.15 am Mani’s son Nevil while returning from the Fire Temple noticed the Estate Manager and a Trust employee exiting from their Building. Mani requested her son Nevil that she needed the POINT TO NOTE: It’s the message, not the messenger you might be mad at! Please Note: The opinions expressed in ‘Letters to the Editor’ are those of Readers and contributors and do not necessarily express the opinion of our Publication. Ǯǯ ǡƤǤ ǡ requested to contact the individual authors if his / her details are mentioned. SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015 03 Community Coverage WZO Trust & D. N. 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EH IRU WKH SXUSRVHV RI GHWHUPLQLQJ ZKHWKHU WKH DSSOLFDQWV FDQ EH GHWHUPLQHG WR EH +RVSLWDO 1DYVDUL ZLOO DUUDQJH IRU D 'RFWRU VSHFLDOL]LQJ LQ SURYLGLQJ ¶)HUWLOLW\ 7UHDWPHQW·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t is hoped that couples of South Gujarat who are unable to make payments first and thereafter recover the same from Parzor Foundation, as per the ‘Jiyo Parsi’ scheme will come forward and take advantage of the ‘cashless facility’ being offered under the collaborating institutions. ´HFRQRPLFDOO\FKDOOHQJHGµ 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Ghadially )HHG%DFN FRQWULEXWH#SDUVLWLPHVFRP 04 O n 10th March, 2015 Physiotherapists Delna Gogawala and Kashmira Gogawala opened a new clinic at the Dhunjibhoy Edulji Allbless Clinic; Gilder lane. The existing Clinic dates back to 27th November, 1898 when it was donated by Sir late Dhunjibhoy Edulji Allbless under the Garib Zarthostiona Rehethan Fund. The objective behind the foundation of this place, in 1898 by Sir Albless was to provide medical services to the poor and needy Zoroastrians. The objective was well lived upon by Community Coverage all the in charge Trustees of the place till date. The place was graciously offered to the two doctors by the current Trustees for their Physiotherapy practice to keep up with objective of this place. The function started with a Jashan carried out by the Priests from Aslaji Agyari and approximately 45-50 of their young and old patients and their family members were present. The occasion was graced by the presence of Mrs. Siloo Comissariat, Administrative head and Mrs. Freny Jabulee, Principal of Bai Ratan Bai SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015 Panday Girls High School in order to encourage and bless the doctors who were co-indecently their ex-students. Excited for this new venture Delna Gogawala said, “This new venture is to reach out to more patients in the bigger well equipped place and also provide physiotherapy treatment at concessional rates or free treatments to the poor Zoroastrians who avoid WKH WUHDWPHQW GXH WR ÀQDQFLDO constraints.” “May Lord Ahura Mazda shower his blessings on the success of this new step and help us to help the needy and grow” added Kashmira Gogawala. SPRINTING TOWARDS EXCELLENCE T he Catholic Gymkhana held their Annual Open Athletic Meet on 28th February, 2015. Zeshah Davar of the Parsi Punchayet Binaisha Engineer and Spanishta Kasad winning Silver and Bronze Medals Team continued her winning sequence by winning the Shot Put event, Girls under \HDUV ZLWK D PDJQLÀFHQW throw of 9.33 metres. Her BPP Team mate Tania Nava, who is sponsored by Anahita and Yezdi Desai excelled as an all rounder by winning 1 Silver and 3 Bronze Medals in the 100 metres, Long Jump, Shot Put 400 metres. The BPP Scheme of concentrating on the very young is bearing fruit. In the Girls Under 8 division BPP athletes, Binaisha Engineer and Spanishta Kasad bagged Silver and Bronze in both their events, 50 metres and 80 metres. Spanishta Kasad is being sponsored by Parsi Times. Gold Medalist - Zeshah Daver with Tania Nava - Bronze medalist. SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015 05 FIVE GENERATIONS OF EXCELLENCE Contributed by P.T. Reader Hiten Joshi S ome may call it Devlali some may call it Deolali originally named Doolally Tap which loosely means “Camp Fever”. It is a small hill station town based 180 kms from Mumbai. It is second largest artillery military base in India, which was establish by British army in 1840’s. Today it is preferred by lots of Mumbaikars as a second home. Lots of Army service men have also chosen this place as their permanent home, simply because this town has lots of greenery around and source of fresh air and humble people. Deolali has lots of garden, play grounds and a very famous place called Temple Hill. People generally would walk through shadow of banyan trees that stand tall on the both sides of the road and kids like to swing on the long roots hanging from these trees. These trees have been around here since hundreds of years. Upon climbing this hill one could see the abode of lush green trees and beautiful landscape. In the evenings one FRXOGDOVRZLWQHVVWKHPRVWPDJQLÀFHQWYLHZRI the different shades of sunsets. Deolali has the population of around 200 - 250 Parsis and Iranis. Deolali also has its very own Parsi Fire Temple and Dharamshala situated 1.5 Kms from the main market. Parsi Community in Deolali has contributed in various ways. 7KH\ KDYH SUHVHQFH LQ DOPRVW HYHU\ ÀHOG PD\ it be Builder, Bakery, Retail, Defense and most important Education. In the year 1942, Mrs. Manekbai J. Contractor began a school along with her two daughters Khorshed and Roda with initially just six students. They named the school “Contractor Classes”. Few years later the third daughter, Rati Watcha joined the School. In the year 1990, Hufreen R. Desai the daughter of Mrs. Watcha joined the school after completing her B.Ed, later joined by her daughter Maireen in 2009 which makes her the 5th generation to join the organization. Today there are hundreds of students in each class. This school consists of Play groups, Nursery, Lower KG and Senior KG. ,WVDIÀUPDWLYHWROD\VWURQJIRXQGDWLRQIURPWKH very beginning for child’s future education and this is exactly what this school is all about. There are Doctors, Architects, Teachers, Photographers, etc. who had started their education from this very school and take pride of being part of this esteem Institute. With all the humbleness, NLQGQHVV GHGLFDWLRQ DQG VDFULÀFH RI WKHVH ÀYH JHQHUDWLRQV RI WHDFKHUV WKH\ KDYH HDUQHG the respect and love of all the students whose foundation base in education was laid by them. JAMSHEDI NAVROZE @ MALCOLM BAUG M alcolm Baug Zoroastrian Association (MBZA) graciously decided, after completing another successful year 2014-15, to hold a Grand Gala evening function on Saturday 21st March, 2015 to celebrate Navroze, for a substantially subsidized token price of Rs.100/- per head for Malcolm Baug’s residents. The evening began around 7 pm with a never before awesome nostalgia arising rendition of olden JROGHQ KLW +LQGL ÀOP VRQJV by the superbly talented “Udaan” group of visually impaired and differently abled artists, originally VXQJE\DOOWLPHJUHDWVOLNH0RKDPPDG5DÀVDKDE Lata Mangeshkar, Kishoreda, etc. Thunderous applause greeted these talented artists from the huge turnout who were clapping and swaying during each song’s rendition with excellent backup music and sound system. Malcolm Baug’s heavenly environment was engulfed with music and songs and each one of the attendees recalled WKRVH QRVWDOJLF GD\V RI ROGHQ JROGHQ ÀOPV DQG their eternally hit songs. This highly talented “Udaan” group, travel nationally and globally to entertain Indians with our golden hit songs. And at the end of the program hordes of people went on stage to greet and thank these talents for entertaining them like never before. MBZA also honored and rewarded the Malcolm Baug kids who excelled in sports and academics, including Ms. Nazneen Katrak who recently won the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 award, all the revered Mobed sahebs of Malcolm Baug Agiary, and all support staff of the Agiary. Mr. Nariman Kotwal was wholeheartedly honored for VHOÁHVVO\VHUYLQJ0%=$VLQFH over 40 years. Then the songs and music continued while all enjoyed hot and soft drinks graciously sponsored by Mr. Coover Contractor, followed by DIDEXORXVÀQJHUOLFNLQJ3DUVLGLQQHUFDWHUHGE\ Mr. Jimmy Gadiwalla and his gracious wife. All in all, it was an awesome and unforgettable Navroze for Malcolm Baugiites and residents of nearby Gool-Dhun Abad and Meher Homes buildings. Applause for all Committee members of MBZA for all they are doing for Malcolm Baug and this grand evening function. Malcolm Baug Residents had also organized a Navroze Table Humbandagi on the same day at 4:15 am under the guidance of Agiary’s Panthaki saheb Ervad Framroze Dadiba Vatchha and Mobed Sahebs. Celebrations @ Rustom Baug O n 1st March 2015, Zoroastrian Winter Relief Fund along with Senior Citizens Group of Rustom Baug celebrated Meheryan Parab at Neville Wadia Hall of Rustom Baug. The hall vibrated with spirituality as over 60 Religious minded Zoroastrians attended the function of Religious melody songs and music. The “Ocean Blue” Orchestra performed for the people present at the venue. The Orchestra included great artists like Mrs. Perin K Surti, Nauzad Ghaswalla and Dr. Darayas Umrigar. The Chief Guest for the function was Mr. Vispi Dastur. This day was an auspicious occasion for Rustom Baug Association which worked specially for WKH EHQHÀW RI WKH 5HVLGHQWV DQG &RPPXQLW\ FDWHULQJ WR WKHLU QHHGV7KLV ZDV WKH ÀUVW IXQFWLRQ RUJDQL]HG E\ WKH QHZ G\QDPLF committee of Rustom Baug. The program ended with the distribution of light refreshments. A big applause to the lendable work of Mrs. Pervin K. Surti for spiritually lifting the interest of the Community members on this occasion. Contributed by P.T. Reader Hoshang T. Sethna O n a bright sunny and breezy evening of 22nd March, 2015 (Roj Amardad Mah Ava), a bus trip was arranged by Panthaki Baug Welfare Association (PWA) for the residents to Marine Drive to pay respect to Ava Ardvisur Banu. Most of the devotees were senior citizens of Panthaki Baug. On getting down near Parsi Gate, the group was thronged by huge holiday crowd who were surprised to see a beeline of senior citizens getting down in their Religious dresses forming groups and walking down in breezy, bright seashores to our Parsi-Point. Flowers, coconuts, saakar, divo, kankoo and dal-ni-poris were offered to Ava Yazad. As the sun started setting, the group headed to board their bus. They then relished the yummy snacks which were arranged for them. All the attendees enjoyed the journey and were glad to pray and seek blessing of Ava Yazad. Everyone returned home with sweet memories and are now awaiting such enjoyable evening in coming years. Kudos to the volunteers Zarin Jesia, P.T.’s own Soharab Jesia, Dinshaw and Zarine Elavia for organizing an excellent trip. 06 SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015 Communityy Coverage g L to R Shernaz Mehta, Kamal Messman, Dr. Zarine Karani Aroaz, Behroze Daruwalla, Veera Mundroina, Homai Mehta, Mehta Meh t Villie Daruvala, Percis Dubash, ta Dolly Dol ly Dhamodiwala, Zenobia Davar. W P.T. 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You have to be tactically correct andd this requires a deep understanding of the events vents that you do and the caliber of your opposition. on. The stadium and the complete sports complex at Rohtak ak was really top quality. I wish Mumbai too had such top quality uality facilities. T wo of our Champion Veteran athletes, Khurshid Mistry and Rohinton Mehta had represented Maharashtra for the 35th National Masters Athletic Championship-2015 which was held at Rohtak from 19th March to 22nd March, 2015. Around 1800 athletes from 20 states in India participated in the championship. Khurshid and Rohinton excelled in their performances at the event. Khurshid has bagged 5 Gold Medals in 100, 200 & 400 meters race and 4*400 & 4x100 m e t e r s r e l a y . Rohinton won 5 Gold Medals in 800, 400 & 200 meters race, 400 meters hurdles & 4*100 meters relay and one Bronze Medal in 4*400 meters relay. Khurshid, has won a number of athletic championships both in India and abroad. Besides Sprinting she also does Marathon running. Last year Khurshid won 5 Half Marathons- Satara, Delhi, Goa, Vasai and Mumbai. Sprinting and Marathon are very different activities which require different skill sets and training it is credible how she manages to excel in both. Rohinton has won a number of athletic championships including the World Masters Games in Sydney in 2009. In February 2015 he won 2 Gold Medals at the State Level Masters Athletic Meet at Dhule. Parsi Times congratulates both of them on their achievement and wish them good luck for their future endeavors. After Mumbai Marathon-2015 I shifted my focus from Marathons to Sprinting. I got around 2 months to prepare for the National Meet. The National Athletic Meet was challenging and satisfying. Competing with the best athletes from different States of our Country gives an adrenaline high and winning the events a sense of achievement and fulfillment. Sprinting is my forte and I thoroughly enjoy the sport. sp The continued encouragement from my Dina Maurya and all my well-wishers, keeps me coach Dinanth going with a “never say die” attitude. 08 SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015 IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS NOT RECEIVING An exciting musical event “Musical Thrillers” has been organised by Sa-Re-Ga-O on Thursday, 2nd April, 2015 at the Ravindra Natya Mandir at 8.30 pm. Two of the vocalists at the show are our very own Community members, Viraf R. Daruwala and Johaan Daruwalla. 9LUDI 5 'DUXZDOOD is a Professional Singer who is 9 ve well known as “Viraf RD” in the Orchestra world very DQG DQ LV LGHQWLÀHG E\ KLV OLVWHQHUV DV WKH “Voice of Ki Kishore Kumar”. On 2nd April, 2015 at Ravindra Natya 0DQGLU3UDEKDGHYLKHZLOOVHWWKHVWDJHRQÀUHE\KLV 0 HOHFWULI\LQJSHUIRUPDQFHRI2OGDQG1HZ6RQJV)XVLRQ HO XQGHU WKH EDQQHU RI Sa-Re-Ga-O. 5HFHQWO\ RQ WK XQ 'HFKHSHUIRUPHGDVDOHDGVLQJHULQWKHPXVLFDO 'H concert named “Ek Surilee Shaam SD*RD Burman Ke co Naam”DW<DVKZDQW1DW\D0DQGLU0DWXQJD Na He took personalized Classical and Light Vocal Singing Training for k one-to-one one one ne-tto neto to-one toperso ÀYHULJRURXV\HDUVWLOOXQGHU Pandit Sudhindra Bhaumik, who is also WKH*XUXRISOD\EDFNVLQJHUV8GLW1DUD\DQDQG.XQDO*DQMDZDOD+HFRPSOHWHG9RLFH 0RGXODWLRQ &ODVVHV IRU 5DGLR -RFNH\ 'XEELQJ 9RLFHRYHUV HWF ZLWK ´.(<0(5·V ./$66(6µZKRVH3URJUDPPH'LUHFWRUZDV0U1RHO.H\PHU5-RI)0WRKDYH JRRGFRPPDQGRQKLV+LQGLODQJXDJHDQGWREULQJWKHIHHOLQKLVYRLFHE\FRUUHFW PRGXODWLRQZKLFKUHDOO\KHOSHGKLPLPSURYHXSRQKLV3DUVLDFFHQWVZKLOHVLQJLQJ +LQGL VRQJV +H KDV SHUIRUPHG ZLWK PDQ\ UHSXWHG 2UFKHVWUDV LQODQG DV ZHOO DV DEURDG+HKDVDOVRGRQHVKRZVLQ)UDQFH6ZLW]HUODQGDQG/RQGRQ +HZDVKRQRUHGDQGLQYLWHGE\50DOO7KDQHRUJDQL]HUVIRUWKHLU%DLVDNKL)HVWLYDO WREHWKHJXHVWRIKRQRUDQGMXGJHWKHÀQDOVRIWKHLURSHQ.DUDRNH&RQWHVWZKLFK ZDV IRU GD\V IURP WK$SU WLOO WK$SU ZLWK DURXQG SDUWLFLSDQWV +H is also a Proprietor of “VISHME ENTERTAINERS”DQG RUJDQL]HVPDQ\ HYHQWV OLNH :HGGLQJV %LUWKGD\ SDUWLHV .DUDRNH HYHQLQJV 1HZ<HDU 3DUWLHV 1DYUDWUL 'DQGLD /LYH2UFKHVWUDV'-QLJKWVHWF \HDU ROG -RKDDQ 'DUXZDOOD ZKR VWDUWHG VLQJLQJ DW WKH WHQGHU DJH RI \HDUV LV DQ XSFRPLQJ VL SOD\EDFN DUWLVW IURP 0XPEDL KDYLQJ D VHW RI LQWHQVHO\ SO WUDLQHG IUHVK DQG UHMXYHQDWLQJ YRFDOV DQG KDV EHHQ WU SHUIRUPLQJ SURIHVVLRQDOO\ VLQFH \HDUV +H KDV D SH S H VWURQJ WUDLQLQJ EDFNJURXQG LQ WKH ÀHOG RI +LQGXVWDQL VW FODVVLFDO DQG OLJKW YRFDO PXVLF IRU DERXW \HDUV FO FO %HLQJ D GHGLFDWHG DQG SDVVLRQDWH VLQJHU IHWFKHG KLP %H D OLIH WLPH RSSRUWXQLW\ WR RIIHU KLV YRFDOV DV OHDG SOD\EDFN IRU DQ XSFRPLQJ À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ÀHOGRIPXVLFHDUOLHU WKLV\HDU7KLV\HDUROGER\KDVDORWRISURMHFWVRQKDQGDOUHDG\ ZLWKYDULRXV0XVLF'LUHFWRUVFRPSDQLHVDQGSURGXFWLRQKRXVHV,W JRHVZLWKRXWVD\LQJWKDWKHLVYHU\SDVVLRQDWHRIZKDWKHGRHVDQG DLPVWRJHWEHWWHUDQGELJJHUHYHU\GD\ “Musical Thrillers” Show has been conceptualized by Mr. Kishore Sharma (left) and conducted by Mr. Bharat Pandit (right). Grab your passes for the show today! PARSI TIMES & WOULD LIKE TO, Please Email us on [email protected], and we will take it forward... The P.T. Team SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015 O Community Coverage 09 &RQWULEXWHGE\375HSRUWHU.KXVKURR30HKWD n the 25th of March this year was the day of Ava Yazad Nu Parab, , KDG WKH ÀUVW JOLPSVH RI WKH +RO\ :HOO DW WKH 3DWHOO $JLDU\ FRPSRXQG LQ WKH PRUQLQJ DQG , FRXOG IHHO WKH GLIIHUHQFH LQ WKH DWPRVSKHUH DOUHDG\ 7KH SHULSKHU\ RI WKH ZHOO ZDV FOHDQHG DQG VXUURXQGLQJV WLG\ WKHLQGLYLGXDOÁRUDOGHFRUDWLRQV DQG GLYDV OLW E\ WKH HDUO\ PRUQLQJKXPGLQVZHUHJORZLQJ WR WKHLU EHVW 7KLV EHLQJ D ZRUNLQJ GD\ WKHUH ZDV D VORZ PRYHPHQWRI7KDQH=DUDWKRVWLV DV WKH GD\ SURJUHVVHG (YHU\ =DUDWKRVWLKDGDÁRZHUJDUODQG and divo to offer to the Ava <D]DG+RO\:HOO The next activity of the day started when a bunch of Parsi ZRPHQIURP3DWHOO$SDUWPHQWV VHWRXWLQWKHVFRUFKLQJVXQWR GHFRUDWH WKH +RO\ :HOO ZLWK ÁRUDO WRUDQV DQG FKDON QD GDEEDV/DWHUWKH\VHWWKHDUHD DURXQGWKHZHOODWWKHHQWUDQFH RIWKH3DWHOO$SDUWPHQWIRUWKH Ava Yazad Nu Parab - D V K D Q 7KH ORFDO O D G L H V were too JRRGLQWKHLUFKDONSXUYDQLVW\OH and they soon decorated the IMPORTANCE OF THIS DAY: When the Universe was created, it was ĚĞƐƟŶĞĚƚŚĂƚǁĂƚĞƌĂŶĚƚŚĞƐŽƵƌĐĞƐŽĨǁĂƚĞƌ͕ĂƐĞůĞŵĞŶƚƐŽĨĐƌĞĂƟŽŶ ǁŝůůƉůĂLJĂǀĞƌLJŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶƚƌŽůĞŝŶƚŚĞůŝĨĞƐƉĂŶŽĨĂůůĐƌĞĂƟŽŶŽŶƚŚŝƐĞĂƌƚŚ ĂŶĚ ĞůƐĞǁŚĞƌĞ͘ /Ĩ ǁĞ ůŽŽŬ ŝŶƚŽ ŚŝƐƚŽƌLJ͕ ǁĞ ĐĂŶ ĞĂƐŝůLJ ĮŶĚ ƌĞĨĞƌĞŶĐĞƐ ĂďŽƵƚƚŚĞŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶĐĞŽĨǁĂƚĞƌĂŶĚŝƚƐƐŽƵƌĐĞƐĂůůĂůŽŶŐŝŶĂůůĂŐĞƐ͕ƌŝŐŚƚ ĨƌŽŵƚŚĞĞĂƌůLJ^ƚŽŶĞŐĞ͘KƵƌŽƌŽĂƐƚƌŝĂŶŚŝƐƚŽƌLJĂŶĚƌĞůŝŐŝŽƵƐĞƉŝĐƐ ĂƌĞŶŽĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚ͘tĞŽƌŽĂƐƚƌŝĂŶƐƚĂŬĞƐƉĞĐŝĂůƉƌŝĚĞŝŶǁŽƌƐŚŝƉƉŝŶŐƚŚĞ ƐŽƵƌĐĞƐŽĨǁĂƚĞƌĂŶĚǁĞŚĂǀĞĚĞĚŝĐĂƚĞĚĂǁŚŽůĞŵŽŶƚŚƚŽƚŚĞƐƉĞĐŝĂů ǁŽƌƐŚŝƉŽĨǁĂƚĞƌĂŶĚŝƚƐƐŽƵƌĐĞƐ͘&ŽƌƵƐ͞Ava Ardvisur Banu” is a Yazad ǁŚŽƉƌĞƐŝĚĞƐŽǀĞƌƚŚĞǁĂƚĞƌƐ͕ǀĂZŽũŽĨǀĂDĂŚŝŶŽďĞĐŽŵĞƐĂĚĂLJ ŽŶǁŚŝĐŚǀĂzĂnjĂĚŝƐǁŽƌƐŚŝƉƉĞĚǁŝƚŚƐƉĞĐŝĂůƌĞǀĞƌĞŶĐĞ͘ĂƌĂƚŚŽƐƟƐ LJŽƵŶŐŽƌŽůĚ͕ƌŝĐŚŽƌƉŽŽƌ͖ŵĂŬĞŝƚĂƉŽŝŶƚƚŽǀŝƐŝƚŽŶĞŽĨƚŚĞƐŽƵƌĐĞƐŽĨ ƉƵƌĞĨƌĞƐŚǁĂƚĞƌŽŶƚŚŝƐĞĂƌƚŚĂŶĚďŽǁĚŽǁŶŝŶƚŚĂŶŬƐŐŝǀŝŶŐƉƌĂLJĞƌƐ ƚŽƚŚĞǀĂzĂnjĂĚ͘ SODFHLQWRDFRORUIXOODFH 7KH-DVKDQDWSPZDVKHOG QHDUWKH+RO\:HOOZDVDWWHQGHG E\DURXQG=DUDWKRVWLV7KLV ZDV SHUIRUPHG E\ WKH 0REHGV RI WKH 7KDQD 3DWHOO $JLDU\ QDPHO\ (UYDG %HKUDPVKDZ 6LGKZD (UYDG .HUVDV 6LGKZD (UYDG $GLO 6LGKZD DQG (UYDG 0DU]EDQ3DYUL After the Jashan the entire FURZG DWWHQGLQJ WKH -DVKDQ PRYHG WRZDUGV WKH +RO\ :HOO where the Dasturjis recited WKDQNV JLYLQJ SUD\HUV DORQJ ZLWKWKH=DUDWKRVWLVSUHVHQWLQ DKXPEDQGDJLWRWKH$YD<D]DG +RO\ :HOO /DWHU D URXQG RI ULFKFKDVQLDQGOLJKWVQDFNVZLWK FROG GULQNV ZHUH VHUYHG 7KLV GD\ RI 5HOLJLRXV VLJQLÀFDQFH ZDV MR\RXVO\ FHOHEUDWHG E\ WKH ORFDO UHVLGHQW =DUDWKRVWLV RI7KDQH$YD$UGYLVXU %DQX QL PDGDGKRMRML FUN AND FROLIC AT ZARA’S RESORT T KH ODWHVW 0DWULPRQLDO %XUHDX SLFQLF ZDV KHOGRQWK0DUFKDW=DUD·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´7KHHIIRUWSXWLQE\WKH/DGLHVWHDPWRKHOS WKH \RXQJVWHUV PLQJOH DQG KDYH D JUHDW WLPH QHHGV WR EH DSSODXGHG , DWWHQGHG WKH SLFQLF IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH DQG KDG DQ DZHVRPH WLPHµ FRPPHQWHG6KLUOH\ ´, GR QRW OLYH LQ D 3DUVL &RORQ\ DQG KHQFH RSSRUWXQLWLHVWRPLQJOHZLWKWKH\RXQJVWHUVIURP WKH &RPPXQLW\ DUH OLPLWHG ,W LV WKDQNV WR VXFK LQLWLDWLYHV WKDW , PHW VXFK GHOLJKWIXO \RXQJVWHUV IURP WKH &RPPXQLW\ , DZDLW WKH QH[W PRQWKO\ PHHWµUHPDUNHG+DQR] IQWKHHDUO\PRUQLQJRIVWRI0DUFKFKLOGUHQDQGDGXOWVRI1RZUR] %DXJJDWKHUHGWRULQJLQ-DPVKHGL1DYUR]H7KHFKLOGUHQRI WKH%DXJKDGVHWDEHDXWLIXOWDEOHZLWKIUXLWVVZHHWVDQGÁRZHUV WKH\KDGEURXJKWIURPKRPH$IWHUOLJKWLQJWKHGLYDWKH\OHDUQHG ZK\ZHFHOHEUDWH1DYUR]H 10 Contd. from Pg. 01 Mr. Ahmad concluded his visit by saying, “You are Indian ÀUVW EXW DW WKH VDPH WLPH \RX are followers of a certain Faith and the Faith should be very dear to you. There should be no scope for any despondency or remorse in your minds that you belong to a Community for which nobody cares. There are well meaning people of all shades and hues around you. Justice will prevail. Your Community has done wonders for the welfare of the people of this Country leaving behind the differences of Faith and we will do all within our power to help you.” The following is a short account of what was put forward and Mr. Naseem Ahmad’s replies. 3UHVHUYDWLRQRI+HULWDJH Amongst other sites, the Bahrot Caves were discussed at length. The Archaeological Survey of India helped building the boundary wall etc. but the Forest Department is not permitting the making of a 5 km. road to the Caves. (OHFWULÀFDWLRQ LV QHHGHG Several years have passed yet the Caves are inaccessible except by a steep forest track. SOLUTION OFFERED BY MR. AHMAD: Ultimately this is the responsibility of the Maharashtra Government. The ÀOH LV KRZHYHU ZLWK XV DQG ZH will look into it. (GXFDWLRQ Many Educational Insitutes across India have been either set up or heavily endowed by funding from Parsis. Endowment Seats for Parsis are requested. Indian Universities should be encouraged to offer courses in Cultural Studies on the Parsis, Avesta, Pahlavi and linguistic studies at MA and higher levels. Parsi Gujarati is a linguistic dialect combining regal Pahlavi and tribal Gujarati. It is dying dialect and needs research and support. SOLUTION OFFERED BY MR. AHMAD: This really depends on the magnanimity of the current Government. Once a Community forgoes its claim, the Government takes over and usually nothing cam be done. This might open a Pandoras Box with regard to other Minorities also coming forward for the same thing. However, I have a hunch that if plausible reasoning can be given this might work in your favour. Forward a formal memorandum to us and we can send it across. 3URWHFWLRQ RI 3DUVL 3URSHUWLHV Across India, Charity Trust Properties are being misused, usurped and Community Coverage illegally occupied. SOLUTION OFFERED BY MR. AHMAD: Mr. Burjor Antia has prepared a Bill which is to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha, Parliament for an Act to be passed to protect Trust properties of Parsis. This is with me and I will review it and work accordingly. $ FRS\ RI WKH ÀUVW GUDIW RI this Bill was circulated at the meeting. 7KH 0XPEDL9DGRGDUD ([SUHVV +LJKZD\ The Daviervala family from Talasri, District Thane requested for slight re-alignment on proposed Mumbai – Vadodara Expressway passing through their lands in Talasri to save their 175 plus year old multi-crop land that provides livelihood to the local population comprising predominantly of “tribal’s.” After Partition the family gave away close to 4900 of their 5000 acres in concurrence with the Maharashtra Agricultural Lands Ceiling Act. SOLUTION OFFERED BY MR. AHMAD: It is not harassment just to cause harm to certain members of a Community. ,WLVQRWDFDXVHWKDWMXVWLÀHV intervention by the NCM. It doesn’t not fall within the scope of our mandate but at the same time to a great extent, we interacted with the concerned Minister and he wrote back to us. This cannot be changed. It is not a Minority issue but at the same time the Commission has given its approval to Dadi Mistry to pursue the matter in his capacity as Dadi Mistry. 'HPROLWLRQ RI 3XEOLF /LEUDU\ LQ 6DQMDQ *XMDUDW The local administration in Sanjan Gujarat is making advances to demolish a Public Library built by Daviervala family and make a way for a Public toilet, just to harass and target them. So far, Mr. P. C. Thakur, The Director General & Inspector General of Police, Gujarat has given instructions to the Valsad Collector to stop the work. NO SOLUTION OFFERED BY MR. AHMAD $=RURDVWULDQ0XVHXPLQ 'HOKL The Community all over the world have expressed their wish for a Zoroastrian Museum in Delhi. On behalf of the Parsi Community, PARZOR has applied for allotment of land for establishment of a Parsi Zoroastrian Museum to the DDA. SOLUTION OFFERED BY MR. AHMAD: When it comes to Heritage and SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015 Bhikha Behram Blessings P.T. Contributor Mr. Aspi Deboo sent us these lovely pictures of the Ava Mahino Ava Roj Jashan Ceremony at the Bhikha Behram Well on the 25th March, 2015. While you appreciate these beautiful images of faith, don’t forget to keep sending in entries to the Faithwalla Photo Contest and win in the name of Parsi-panu! preservation of your Culture we will and are doing everything to help the cause forward. 5HSUHVHQWDWLRQ RI 3DUVL 0HPEHUVLQ3DUOLDPHQWParsis need more representation in Parliament and the Government may consider nominating two prominent members of the Community. SOLUTION OFFERED BY MR. AHMAD: Forward a formal memorandum to us and we can send it across. (DV\ 9LVD SURFHVV A suggestion put forward by BPP Trustee Khojeste Mistree requesting an easier process for Parsis from Pakistan making pilgrimages to India. SOLUTION OFFERED BY MR. AHMAD: Here Dadi Mistry pointed out that however long the process might be, all Visas were graciously granted upon request. Advocate Jamsheed Kanga writes this open letter to the Parsi Press about the current situation with regard to the ‘Socalled renegade Priest Matter’. These are his views. WE DO NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT THE TERMS OF THE SETTLEMENT ARE In a recent issue of the Parsiana (21st March), Ervard Madan one of the two Priests who were banned by the BPP from praying at the Doongerwadi and the two agiaries of BPP has stated, “We don’t even know what the terms of the settlement are. We are at the centre of the dispute and they blatantly excluded us from the entire process.” They claim that BPP and the Appellants cannot decide their fate in the mediation. Obviously Ervad Madon feels that the entire case referred to as the ‘Renagade Priests Case’ was being fought for them and they were the main actors. It needs to be explained to him, and those who are misleading him that Kanga and K.Khan who believed that the BPP Trustees had only secular powers and had no power to decide any Religious issues under the Trust Deed, approached the High Court E\ ÀOLQJ DQ RULJLQDWLQJ VXPPRQV for a determination of this fact. It concerned not the two Priests but all the Priests in India and the jurisdiction of BPP Trustees in all Religious issues. The issue before the court in the case (Originating Summons) as stated in the judgment was as follows “In 2012 the BPP Trustees imposed a ban on the 2 Priests, Madon and Mirza from praying at Doongarwadi and their 2 Agiaries because they were performing irreligious acts. The foundation on which the Appellants moved an Originating Summons was their contention that the Trustees do not have the authority or power under the Deed of Trust or otherwise in law to prevent a 11 SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015 A NOTEWORTHY RESTORATION T he Esplanade House, the opulent home of industrialist Jamsetji Tata built in 1885, was repaired and restored by the Architect 9LNDV 'LODZDUL UHFHQWO\ 7KH SURMHFW UHFHLYHG an Honourable Mention at the 2014 Unesco Asia 3DFLÀF $ZDUGV ODVW \HDU IRU &XOWXUDO +HULWDJH Conservation. On March 23, Shigeru Aoyagi, director and UNESCO representative to India, SUHVHQWHGDSODTXHWRWKH7UXVWHHVRI5'6HWKQD Scholarship Fund, which owns Esplanade House DQGDOVRFHUWLÀFDWHVWRDOOWKRVHZKRFRQWULEXWHG to its restoration. $UFKLWHFW 'LODZDUL FDUULHG RXW ZRUN RQ WKLV WHQDQWHG WKUHH VWRUH\ HGLÀFH LQ WKUHH VWDJHV Located opposite Bombay Gymkhana, this listed heritage building’s upper storeys have been leased out to private companies. “Repair work was carried out without dislodging or dislocating the tenants,” says )DUURNK 0 5XVWRPML &(2 RI 5 ' 6HWKQD T ata Group’s Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata has been appointed to head Indian Railways’ innovation council, ‘Kaya Kalp’. He will be heading this new innovation Scholarship Fund, adding that the rental income was ploughed back into the maintenance of the building. As funds slowly trickled in over the span a decade, the dilapidated 127-year-old building grew younger. One of the rare buildings in the city that has ZRRGHQÁRRUVDQGDVXUYLYLQJH[DPSOHIURPODWH 19th century Mumbai, “its interiors looked like a ÀOPVHWEXWLWZDVLOOPDLQWDLQHG,GLGQ·WNQRZ ZKHUHWRVWDUWµVDLG'LODZDUL Original photographs from Tata’s archives helped the architect, who had to redo the zinc curvilinear awnings, terracotta urns and decorative railing in new materials. Besides, rectifying structural problems like the separation RI ZDOOV LQ WKH UHDU DQQH[H DQG UHGRLQJ WKH balconies were the other challenges. council set up by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu. The council is created to suggest ways to turn around the ailing organization. According to Prabhu, it is his personal rapport with the industrialist that worked for railways. Kaya Kalp — literally meaning transform-ation — was announced by Prabhu in the railway budget and he Parsi Zoroastrian Priest from performing Zoroastrian rites and ceremonies in the premises of the Trust on the ground that the Trustees believe that the two Priests had performed ceremonies which were regarded as irreligious. According to the Appellants, the Trustees are not vested with the power or DXWKRULW\XQGHUWKH'HHGRI7UXVWWRGLFWDWH on Religious matters and are not competent to declare the ceremonies which were performed by the two Priests as irreligious. Their powers, according to the Appellants, DUH UHVWULFWHG E\ WKH 'HHG RI 7UXVW WR ÀQDQFLDO DQG DGPLQLVWUDWLYH PDQDJHPHQW of the properties held in Trust. Every Parsi Zoroastrian has – in the submission of the Appellants an absolute right to choose any duly ordained Parsi Zoroastrian Priest to perform prayers, rites and ceremonies for WKHPDW'RRQJHUZDGLDQGDWWKHWZR$JLDULHV and the Trustees have no power to fetter SCORECARD S CORECARD by Binaisha M. Surti W had hinted at the time that a “big name” will head it. The minister had already broached the subject with Tata before the budget but had not got a FRQÀUPDWLRQ Tata visited Prabhu on Tuesday at the Rail Bhawan RIÀFH LQ 'HOKL DQG JDYH KLV consent to head the committee. Tata had in 2009 refused to head an advisory board to suggest ways to turn around the national carrier Air India. the freedom and choice of the members of WKH&RPPXQLW\ZKRDUHEHQHÀFLDULHVXQGHU WKH 'HHG RI 7UXVW $ GXO\ RUGDLQHG 3DUVL Zoroastrian Priest cannot, it is contended, be restrained from performing Religious SUD\HUV RU FHUHPRQLHV DW 'RRQJHUZDGL RU at the two Agiaries and the personal views of certain Priests on the purported ban LPSRVHGE\WKH7UXVWHHVLVH[WUDQHRXVWRWKH FRQVWUXFWLRQRIWKH'HHGRI7UXVWµ7KHLVVXH before the court was not concerning only these two Priests but all the Priests, and all issues concerning the Religion, as to whether the BPP Trustees had the authority to take any Religious decision as they claimed. The learned Judges came to the conclusion as IROORZV ´7KH &RXUW ZRXOG QRW EH MXVWLÀHG in conferring upon the Trustees a power to H[FOXGH D GXO\ RUGDLQHG =RURDVWULDQ 3ULHVWV from performing obsequial ceremonies for a Parsi Zoroastrian in accordance with the H KDYH ÀQDOO\ FRPH WR WKH ODVW stage of this carnival and truly the best in the cricketing business are proving their worth. Here are the Semi Finals results. 24th March 26th March Vs Vs What a nerve wrecking encounter this one turned out to be. There were so many game-changing moments in this thriller. One truly felt for the South Africans as New Zealand won by 4 wickets according to the D/L method. It was Grant Elliott’s knock that made the difference between both the sides. After posting a huge target on the board it was no looking back for the Australians. India have played like champions throughout this Tournament… but unfortunately not destined to bring the cup back home. Dhoni lead from the front but ‘Cricket’ is not just a one man’s game. Sadly, India was beaten by 95 runs in this clash. 299/6 (42.5) 281/5 (43) MoM: Grant Elliott Religious rites and ceremonies of the faith. Such a power has not been conferred upon WKHPE\WKH'HHGRI7UXVW5HDGLQJDQ\VXFK SRZHULQWRWKH'HHGRI7UXVWLQWKHDEVHQFH RI H[SOLFLW SURYLVLRQ RU DW DQ\ UDWH RQH which arises by necessary implication, would be impermissible.” As a matter of fact the two Priests were never a part of the case. The court has further stated that: “The fact WKDWWKHWZR3ULHVWVKDYHFKRVHQQRWWRÀOH proceedings of their own to challenge the ban cannot, by any means, be regarded as SUHFOXGLQJWKH$SSHOODQWVDVEHQHÀFLDULHVRI the Trust from seeking an interpretation of WKH'HHGRUDGHWHUPLQDWLRQRIWKHULJKWVRI WKHEHQHÀFLDULHV7KHEDQSHQDOL]HVWKHWZR 3ULHVWV E\ VXEMHFWLQJ WKHP WR DQ H[FOXVLRQ from administering Religious rites and ceremonies at the Towers of Silence. Implicit in it is a veiled threat to others against the reprisals that may follow, if they were to 233 (46.5) 328/7 (50) MoM: Steven Smith adopt a course of conduct which the Trustees GR QRW FRXQWHQDQFH 7KH EHQHÀFLDULHV DUH aggrieved because the clear consequence of the ban which has been imposed by the Trustees is to deprive them of the choice of a Priest in whom they have faith, ostensibly because of the conduct of the Priests outside the Towers of Silence. The consequence of allowing the action of the Trustees to pass muster would be to confer upon them an DUELWUDU\ SRZHU WR H[FOXGH D SRZHU ZKLFK PD\ ZHOO EH ZLHOGHG WR H[HUFLVH FRQWURO RYHU WKH EHQHÀFLDULHV WKHPVHOYHV 7KLV LV PRUH WKDQ H[HPSOLÀHG E\ WKH GLVWUHVVLQJ developments that took place during the pendency of these proceedings.” It is therefore clear that the fact that the main issue as this case was about the interpretation of the powers of the Trustees only. 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