To the newly appointed Dastur (Dr) Jamasp JamaspAsa, it is important for the community to "stand united, uphold the basic tenets of Zoroastrianism with pride… To teach our faith to the young ones, our uniqueness is a task before both parents and the clergy.” Whilst trying to do "what is right for the future generation, being progressive and moving with the times, the basic mold cannot be changed,” he noted at a condolence meeting for his late father Dastur (Dr) Kaikhusroo JamaspAsa organized by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet on June 18, 2019 at the Banaji Atash Behram Annexe Hall when he was presented a silver salver. Kaikhushroo passed away on May 19 (see "The dignified Dastur,” pg 41).
Having returned from the UK the previous night where he has to wind up his medical practice, Jamasp urged the community to respect the clergy who dedicate their lives to serving the religion, and requested sons of priests to come back to the mobedi fold. The good work of the recently demised two Dasturs would be best remembered if we "uphold the tenets of humata, hukhta, hvarshta,” he noted in a reference to his father and Navsari High Priest Dastur Kaikhushru Dastur Meherjirana who had breathed his last on June 4.
Top left : The 18th Dastur Meherjirana addressing community members at Navsari;
top right: With wife Roshan; Above: Ervad Khurshed Desai, trustee of the Bhagarsath Anjuman
addressing the audience at Ravji’s investiture, with Dastur Khurshed Dastoor (4th from r) and
other priests on the dais Photos: Sarosh Daruwalla, Mazda Studio
Top: Dastur (Dr) Jamasp JamaspAsa addressing the audience at his investiture; others seated, in foreground,
from l: Dastur Khurshed Dastoor, Ervad Burjor Antia, Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal (partially visible),
Phiroze Katrak, Maneck Mulla, Ervad (Dr) Parvez Bajan; inset (from l): Drs Shirin, Jamasp and Bakhtawar JamaspAsa
Above: jashan in progress at Zarthoshti Anjumanna Atash Behram Photos: Dolly Divecha
Earlier, on June 2, 41-year-old Jamasp was appointed as the Dastur of the Zarathoshti Anjumanna Atash Behram where Kaikhusroo had served for 63 years. After a jashan on the first floor of the place of worship, managing trustee Ervad Burjor Antia announced that Jamasp had been selected to succeed his late father. Both Dasturs (Dr) Firoze Kotwal and Khurshed Dastoor were present, as were about 25 mobeds. Shawls and flowers were presented to the new Dastur. In a short speech, Jamasp accepted the position, thanked all present and pledged to uphold the traditions of the religious seat. He was to fly out to the UK where he was based, that same night. "I will be back soon,” he had told the audience in the packed hall. An alumnus of Campion School, K. C. College and Mahatma Gandhi Missions Medical College, Jamasp became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in 2006.
Seventy-four-year-old Ervad Kaikhusru Ravji was appointed as the 18th Dastur Meherjirana in Navsari by the Bhagarsath Anjuman of that town on June 5, the day of the uthamna of Dastur Kaikhushru Dastur Meherjirana. According to news reports, the new High Priest stated that a Dastur’s rank is next to that of Zarathushtra. Ravji received his priestly training at the Dadar Athornan Madressa (now Dadar Athornan Institute) and the M. F. Cama Athornan Institute. Having served as boiwala at the Navsari Atash Behram, he has been panthaky of the Pallonji Cama Daremeher (Cama Baug Agiary) since 1987.