Nearly half of the Zoroastrian community in Singapore joined in the 13th anniversary celebrations of their Zoroastrian House on April 28, 2024. The ground plus two-storeyed Zoroastrian House has been serving as the hub of community activities ever since past president Homiyar Vasania magnanimously offered it on lease to the community on payment of one Singapore dollar (Rs 62) a month. In addition to the prayer hall, the Zoroastrian House now has a permanent museum, "The Joyous Flame,” spread over 1,200 sq ft that captures the ethos and culture of the community.
For the 13th anniversary event organized by the Parsi Zoroastrian Association of South East Asia, Singapore (PZAS), the guest speaker was Dinshaw Tamboly, chairman of the WZO (World Zoroastrian Organisation) Trust Funds (WZOTF). By showing two short videos, he gave the audience an idea of the poverty prevailing until 1991 among Zoroastrians in south Gujarat and the efforts of WZOTF to ameliorate their condition. He also shared his views on the causes of poverty and "Challenges before the Community” that led to an interesting question-answer session.
Top, from l, 1st row: Dinshaw Tamboly addressing the community in Singapore; jashan;
2nd row: audience; Zoroastrian House;
3rd row: committee members Neville Dotivala, Monira Bhada, Khurshid Choksey, Homiyar Vasania,
Tamboly, Hormuz Avari, Natasha Karanjia, Burzeen Driver, Danesh Dabu
Contrary to common perception, poverty within the community is not only in the rural areas but also in urban areas though it may not be easily visible, stated Tamboly. This is thanks to community trusts that provide subsidized housing. Citing the findings of the study conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) 15 years ago, he mentioned that there is a small fraction of the community which lives below the poverty line. As per the Planning Commission of India, in 2023 the minimum sustenance level required for a poor person was Rs 1,286 per month (USD 15.54) in urban areas and Rs 1,060 per month (USD 12.81) in rural areas. Among the economically disadvantaged Parsis, the TISS report showed that although a majority have a secondary school certificate, only 16.67% have crossed graduation or obtained any vocational training to prepare them for the job market and support themselves.
Summed up Tamboly, "Let us never forget that our community (members) are achievers. Our goal has always been to influence history, not to merely observe it being made.” Reassured to see the empathy and concern expressed by Parsis in Singapore for those in distress in India, Tamboly told Parsiana, "Quite a few mentioned they would send donations for these poor Zoroastrians.” As part of his presentation Tamboly had referred to the different ways donors could assist Zoroastrians in rural areas: provide food grain for a family of four for four months Rs 8,000 (USD 133); poverty relief for one elderly Zarathushti for one year Rs 48,000 (USD 800); convert one hut to a home, Rs 7,00,000 (USD 8,420); fabricate solar panels to serve Zarathushti households in a village Rs 1,000,000 (USD 16,666).
Prior to Tamboly’s talk, the gathering witnessed a thanksgiving jashan and a touching short prayer for the well-being of two of their members who were undergoing medical issues. Those assembled were treated to a sumptuous lunch of saaria, dhan daar patio, sali boti, brownies and falooda. "Every Zoroastrian House anniversary celebration involves a gahanbar with food prepared by PZAS members and this one was no exception,” conveyed PZAS president Hormuz Avari.