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Noting that the number of community members in the twin cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad is "just too small,” Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman of Secunderabad and Hyderabad (PZASH) trustee and recently nominated panel member of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) for Telangana, Jehangir Bisney emphasizes, "We have to be united at all times. Differences in perceptions, thought process, etc can remain but unless we are well knit, we shall be washed away in the tsunami of majoritarianism. We have to take care of ourselves.

"Secunderabad/Hyderabad has about 1,000 odd Parsis and it has been this figure for quite some time,” he stated. "I do not have a percentage of intermarrieds in Secunderabad/Hyderabad, but the numbers are going up. There are many super senior citizens. I don’t anticipate any major issues for the next 20-30 years but thereafter it is not possible to predict. The large number of children seen during Parsi functions gives hope … To predict the future of the community for the rest of India is very hazardous. I only hope we survive with quality people. The rest is left in the hands of the Almighty.” Atash behrams and agiaries feel the brunt with less and less people visiting, he stated. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 61-year-old chartered accountant believes that in places which once had a sizeable population, community assets need to be assessed by honest people. "If required, such properties can be monetized. It is sad to see even in a place like Secunderabad, prime properties once held by Parsis” have been sold to others at low prices. 

Secunderabad and Hyderabad are basically where the Parsi population resides in Telangana state, he observes. He is investigating the blockage of the sewer line of the Hyderabad Agiary by illegal construction of a portion of a restaurant outside. "This has led to contamination of the well and sewerage water spilling all over the colony. This problem has been there for nearly a year. It’s a major problem plaguing the residents…” Another issue is the legal dispute between the Zoroastrian Club (ZC) of which he is the president and a contractor who is contesting his ouster from the appointment and the premises. Founded in October 1915 the Club stands on one-and-a-half acres of land on Sardar Patel Road.  

Bisney stated that "depending on issues, I will devote that much time to the Commission. I always multi-task and juggle with my work, giving priorities. I expect a lot of cooperation from Kersi Deboo (NCM vice president).”

Functioning under a trust deed of December 1941, the Anjuman’s welfare schemes include a child incentive scheme, schemes for encouragement of education and poverty amelioration, notes Bisney. "The office of the Anjuman is located at a prime location in the heart of the city… In its compound is the Khan Bahadur Edulji Sohrabji Chenai Anjuman Dar-e-Meher. The complex also houses 40 families and parking for the residents. The garden is well maintained and serves as a green expanse amidst the concrete surroundings. The Anjuman library is well stocked with books, magazines and other informative literature in English, Hindi and Gujarati,” he states. A ruvan ni bungli is also available. The Anjuman owns and manages residential blocks at Bapu Bagh, Macleodguda, which house 31 families.

Bisney is also the resource person for the south zone for the World Zoroastrian Organisation Trusts and a prolific social media buff. He is the sole administrator for the Facebook page "Parsi Zoroastrians Worldwide — The Hyderabadi Page.” 

A former vice president for the south zone for The Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India (FPZAI), Bisney founded and presided over the all India Federation of Zoroastrian Youth Associations and the Twin Cities’ Zoroastrian Youth League. 

A few decades ago, PZASH took a conscious decision not to attend any FPZAI meetings. "We felt that with the abysmal depths FPZAI had reached, there was no value addition for us and instead it created rifts between our members attending it… As and when we feel that FPZAI is once again the mature forum it was during the times of the late (honorary secretary) Keki Gandhi, we may reconsider joining it.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bisney believes that the community has stalwarts in every profession. 

"The youth should be made to study about these icons and how they made a mark for themselves… Being tightly knit as a community, their stories must be shared on larger platforms and not just as WhatsApp forwards but as genuine sources of information. This will make more youngsters enter that profession and go one step ahead.

"We need more platforms and events for youngsters to meet up more often for marital match-ups… Here the youth should be educated to learn more about Zoroastrianism and how important it is to marry within the community to preserve our rich heritage and culture. Many youth don’t feel proud to be Zoroastrians and tend to move out of our community.”

Bisney states that he jumped into community activities when just 24 years old, "when most others of my age would party, travel, spend time socializing… I guess when the determination is there, time is created on its own… I am a workaholic and have quite a disciplined lifestyle.” His family has supported his community involvements. 

Wife Hoofrish, a commerce graduate, juggles between home management and her passion for the fields of art and crafts. "My daughter Arnaz, who is a commerce graduate and has a master’s degree in arts, is now studying law… (She is) a jack of all trades and master of a few!” Son Shayan has completed his judicial clerkship under Justices Rohinton Nariman and A. M. Khanwilkar in the Supreme Court of India. He is now practicing law in Bombay with senior advocate Zal Andhyarujina.

Your religion is what you do when the prayer is over, he believes. "All cities/towns having a Parsi/Irani population must have outlets where religious items like sudras, kustis, topis, diva, kakras, etc are easily available. 

"My forefathers had done notable community service. The Bisney Road in Hong Kong, the Bisney dakhma in Bombay and the Bisney Adarian in Surat are testimony to this… I have been fortunate and blessed and I have given back to the community since a long time…I have not waited to do that when my one foot is in the grave… Many a times the work one does is thankless, but keeping the bright future of the community in mind, certain difficult decisions have to be taken. I have taken them in the past and felt the heat for the same, but that did not deter me as I knew I was on the right path for the overall betterment of the community.”