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West Zone B
Brig Jahangir Anklesaria (Retd) of Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayet (APP) reported that thanks to a donation of eight crore rupees from Firdos Cambatta, they have launched a fund for mobeds and pallbearers, through which they provide Rs 10,000 per month to each individual or his "lady survivor.” The community there meets monthly and they have recently started sheri-jaman (community meals). The APP has donated Rs 10.50 lakhs in the last year towards education assistance and Rs 9.50 lakhs towards medical aid. He proudly said that "all this was provided only from interest from the corpus” and that "20% of the income was ploughed back” each year into the corpus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bardoli’s Yasmine Sanjana reported that "all was going well” in that town with a strength of 90 members and that three babies were born in the last two years. They have a functioning agiary with a mobed.
There is one priest who tends the fires of four agiaries (of which two are run by the punchayet) in Bharuch, reported its representative Kaiyomard Kerawala, expressing an urgent need for mobeds. Bharuch has a population of 117 Zoroastrians of whom "60% are more than 70 years of age.” (Efforts to shift the holy fire from the Pestonji Aslaji Doongaji Agiary there to the proposed New Bombay agiary were recently stalled after Percy Hansotia and Kaizad Sethna of Ankleshwar obtained a stay.) In addition to a monthly salary of Rs 25,000, a priest is assured of residence, medical aid and education for his children, clarified Sarosh Ginwalla of Bharuch. From the muktad earnings "everything is given to the priest; nothing is retained by the punchayet,” added Ginwalla who also recommended that a "High Priest should come and address us (the Federation)” to resolve the issue of shortage of priests to tend sacred fires.
When it was suggested that Bharuch could consider behdin pasbans or lay priests it was pointed out that there are adarians in Bharuch unlike Kanpur where the dadgah fire is tended by behdin pasbans by rotation. Cash doles to the needy and community gahanbars continue to take place in Bharuch. Kerawala reported that they have received a donation of Rs 2.18 crores from the estate of Goolbai Mehta.
Marazban Baria, president of the Bilimora Parsi Anjuman, said that their town is "on the progress path.” The adarian there is 117 years old and the dadgah, 188 years old, he announced. Many families who have left the town for more lucrative pastures have returned to have their family’s muktad ceremonies at the adarian there, he said. The doongerwadi is well maintained, and a new dadgah has been constructed, while the old one is also maintained. They have a corpus of Rs 8.60 crores and earn an annual income of Rs 63.88 lakhs. Of the 175 members in that town, 50 who are below the poverty line are given food grains and other provisions to last them through the year. Civil work for the construction of a new building was completed in five months after demolition of an old dilapidated building housing two tenants.
The anjuman in Chikhli provides medical and education support for its members and holds a gahanbar each May, mentioned Vistasp Katrak, acknowledging the support of the anjumans of Bilimora and Gandevi in conducting their activities. Gandevi’s Farokh Shaher too acknowledged the support of "big brother” Bilimora in their activities. 
The Daman-Vapi anjuman which has 190 members currently was established in 1838, with the doongerwadi built in 1898 on 14 acres of land. Elections for seven office bearers were held there after 36 years, reported T. G. Wadia. The fencing and compound walls of the doongerwadi needed attention, and they also wish to build a new bungli for which donors were required. They could approach the Minorities Commission for assistance in this project, it was recommended. When it was suggested that they could create cactus fencing, those familiar with the territory revealed that such a fence would not suffice as encroachers even pilfer the broken glass pieces atop boundary walls! Registered under the Societies Act, the association holds two gahanbars each year.
Established in 1855, the Davier anjuman with 40 members is spending Rs 45 lakhs on renovation of the dharamshala, mentioned Marzban Wadia. Describing the local dakhma as "the best dakhma after Bombay,” Wadia mentioned (the Bilimora dakhma and surrounding land are among the best maintained – editors), "In June I’m leaving Bombay and settling in Davier.”
"Of the 22 individuals residing in Ilav, most need help,” according to Pervin Jehangir who represented that town. The fire temple there is run by a separate trust. "We try to have a gahanbar each year,” she said.  
Fearing the acquisition of 10 acres of dakhma land in Nargol for the upcoming port there, Hoshang Wania requested help from the Federation to fight this proposal. In favor of approaching the Prime Minister and the Minorities Ministry, he asserted, "This is religious, community land. Everyone should speak with one voice. Thana and finally Bombay Doongerwadi land will also come into trouble,” he warned. Federation honorary secretary Farrokh Rustomji cited the success of the Delhi Parsi Anjuman (DPA) when they opposed the Delhi Metro Rail project which had originally envisaged cutting across the old aramgah property. But with former DPA president Dadi Mistry’s persistence and the help of the Minorities Ministry, they ensured the route was altered, Rustomji stated.    
Dara Deboo, representing Navsari, said the three anjumans there — Behdin, Athornan and Samast — are "complementary to each other, not competitive.” Giving a run-down on the activities in this town which has around 2,500 community members, he mentioned that there are four colleges and eight high schools running under various Parsi trusts, which provide education to 4,500 and 7,000 students of all communities respectively. Of the 75 Parsi students due to graduate or complete their postgraduation, most would settle outside Navsari, he feared. He stated that they were able to obtain concessions as an ethnic minority from the authorities in the shape of four seats in an agricultural college.
Two Parsi-endowed cosmopolitan hospitals with a total strength of 225 beds provide succor for the sick. Since any mediclaim policy does not cover the expenses borne on treating the old at their residence, a financial scheme has been introduced whereby nurses/ayahs/wardboys from the hospital make weekly or daily visits to ailing community members, depending on their needs. While The WZO Trust Funds runs its Senior Citizens Centre, the bedridden patients are looked after at the infirmary. An ambulance service is available to transport the sick from Navsari: the southern limit being Bombay and the northern, Ahmedabad.
 In addition to the famed Atash Behram, there are two adarians and six dadgahs in Navsari. Avan Baug provides housing in the shape of 500 flats. The two dharamshalas, Rustom Baug and Jamshed Baug are flourishing, according to Deboo, while the Bamji Sanatorium needs to be rebuilt. 
Jamshed Dotivala, president of the Surat Parsi Panchayat (SPP), reported that not having any fire temples to manage (these are run by independent trusts), the trustees focus on social and economic development of the community. Sixteen flats have been recently allocated to newly married couples at low rents that peak at Rs 500 per month. "Twenty to 30% of newly built flats are offered to newly married couples,” he said. They are considering action against tenants who have locked up their flats and moved elsewhere. With the former villages of Adajan, Batha and Rander now being included in the municipal corporation of Surat, the value of land is skyrocketing and politicians and builders want to encroach on the land, he observed. The Panchayat has spent over Rs 19 lakhs on medical assistance, nearly Rs 25 lakhs on educational causes, and assisted pallbearers with around Rs 38 lakhs.
Yazdi Karanjia, also trustee of the SPP, in his inimitable, theatrical style complimented Desai for the smooth running of the meeting. Appreciating the work of Sorab Katpitia of Surat who had handled the defunct anjumans portfolio for FPZAI over several decades, Karanjia said that "he had worked hard,” and Federation members should forgive any lapses "as true Zoroastrians.” The Zoroastrian Women’s Assembly of Surat, he said, had completed 23 years. Prayer and cookery competitions, educational trips and distribution of food packets to the needy were some of their activities, as also the publication of a directory of Parsis in that city. The Parsi Pragati Mandal, said Karanjia, was 70 years old and undertook religious programs and provided scholarships to bright children. The Yazdi Karanjia Drama Group raised three crore rupees (US$ 450,000) for various causes, he said.
Saronda, which lies nine kilometers from Sanjan, is a "small, serene town,” mentioned the anjuman vice president Yezdi Panthaki. The fire temple will be approaching its 200th anniversary. Parsi homesteads are visible in the main town area, he reported.
Baman Cama, president of Shree Parsi Panchayat Vadodara, stated that their "peaceful community” numbers around 1,000. The adarian run by the Panchayat was built in 1845. There is another place of worship too which is run by a private trust. He stated that the Panchayat has been spending more on education with about three lakh rupees on relief of poverty and over five lakh rupees as medical aid annually. Proud of the renovated dharamshala, he said that it provided three star facilities. "Why have we stopped the Federation Awards?” he enquired. (The awards were given to Zoroastrians in India in several fields of endeavor.) The earlier practice of inviting a youth representative from each anjuman should also be reintroduced, he stated.
Valsad which has a population of 600 Parsis has 12 acres of dakhma land and 80 residential flats that are fully occupied, reported president Sam Chothia who is also the vice president of West Zone B. They expended Rs 14 lakhs on education and nine lakh rupees on medical relief. When asked regarding the progress of the disputed Tithal sanatorium land on the outskirts of Valsad he mentioned that the matter was sub judice and was due to come up for hearing at the Charity Commissioner’s (CC) office the following Tuesday (April 5). He did not inform the gathering on what the issues were before the CC. (The land was to be sold till Mehrwan Irani of Bombay objected and obtained a stay.)
Parvez Jokhi of Vansda reported a membership of 80 people in that town. An aramgah exists in that town and they are hopeful of support to build a hall for get-togethers. Vesu has about 30 to 40 families, according to Soonoo Vesuna, and the indigent are given financial aid once a year. The adarian is managed by a separate trust.
With no fear of out-migration, Vyara-Songadh has a population of about 120, one agiary, one community hall, one dakhma, one bungli and a pavilion on the 10-acre Doongerwadi land on which bawal has been planted so that there is no fear of encroachment, stated Persi Buhariwala. Since they were unable to draw water from their bore well, they laid a new water plant at a cost of one lakh rupees. Their New Year function is attended by members of other faiths too.

 

West Zone A 
Anahita Desai representing Badnera-Amravati reported the need for a mobed to serve the place of worship there. There is only one Zoroastrian family remaining. When she was asked why the anjuman has not signed the custodianship agreement with the Federation, she said she would enquire.
The BPP expended Rs 4,67,00,000 on religious activities (including maintenance of Doongerwadi), Rs 1,41,43,000 on education, Rs 2,93,00,000 on medical assistance, Rs 2,54,66,000 on relief of poverty and Rs 1,68,31,000 on other charitable causes, reported its chief executive officer Cawas Panthaki.
There are 175 members in Dahanu. "We don’t give help to anyone. We ask them to get up and help themselves,” declared Mubarakai of Dahanu. There is "no shortage of wood. We have kathi to last two years. I feel the power of atash takes care of itself,” he added, explaining how one generous donor contributed to the renovation of the agiary. The Doongerwadi there is "done up beautifully” with five-seven acres of land protected by a wall. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darab Bajina representing Panchgani stated that their anjuman was in its 87th year, and had a corpus of over one crore rupees, with a donation of Rs 25 lakhs from Dr Cyrus Poonawalla. Forty-five permanent members and a floating population of 100-150 make up their constituents, he said. While some portions of the anjuman property were recently repaired, they have yet to build an aramgah wall to protect the land from encroachment. The Minorities Commission has given them a grant of Rs 10 lakhs for the construction of the aramgah wall, said Gita Choksi, also of Panchgani, and they are currently awaiting the work order from the Panchgani municipal council. She revealed that the aramgah needs a lot of maintenance and since their priest and caretaker are in poor health they are looking out for a caretaker couple. The anjuman has started a scholarship program and offered it to students of nine schools in the area, but have not received any applications from Zoroastrian families.
Choksi, whose son recently passed away in Bombay, bemoaned the delay in getting an ambulance in the city to rush her son to a hospital. Malcolm Baug, as pointed out Shaher, has tied up with an ambulance service that provides the facility at a reasonable rate as against the high charges demanded by Topsline. Choksi advocated a community-wide medical insurance scheme, stating, "There is dire need for good medical care for us Parsis.”
Listening to her harrowing personal experiences at the Bombay Doongerwadi (subtle and unsubtle monetary demands by the staff), Desai apologized and added, "We are in the process of revamping the system and getting about accountability.” He regretted that the unionized pallbearers are "a law unto themselves.” Randeria stated that in light of the service they provide, "we have to be tactful” and was happy that their leader has given an assurance that on "issues of indiscipline he will be completely on our side.”
The dakhma land in Sholapur, which is used as an aramgah, is under threat of acquisition by the government, reported Rusi Dhabhar.  The fire temple is functional and a Dae month jashan is performed each year.
In its diamond jubilee year, Thana anjuman president Zarsis Udhnawala reported that they raised Rs 11 lakhs to add to their corpus of Rs 66 lakhs. The 236-year-old agiary, run by the Thana Agiary Fund, was rebuilt with funds generated by renting part of its property to the State Bank of India. It is tended by six priests, mentioned Pervez Bhesania. When asked how they were fortunate to retain six priests given the all-round shortage of clerics, the office bearers explained that the mobeds are residents of Thana, having grown up in the same neighborhood. Sanction is expected from the relevant government authorities for usage of part of the 188,000 sq ft space of the Tower of Silence land under the Thana Zoroastrian Charity Fund for construction of two more residential buildings. The anjuman caters to a community of 800 to 900 people, of whom "50 to 60 visit the agiary each day,” stated Udhnawala.

 

South Zone
Madras has 220 community members and "desperately needs” a temporary priest. "Our current mobed has not gone on leave for three years,” said Mani Clubwala, vice president of the South Zone, making a fervent plea. Three bodies work in harmony in Madras — the Madras Parsi Zarthosti Anjuman, the Madras Parsi Association (the social body that organizes get-togethers every month) and the Jal Clubwala Dar-e-Meher Trust.

 

 

 

Cmde Medioma Bhada (retd) representing Belgaum, who was prepared "with a very detailed 12-page report,” but said he would keep his update short in view of 10 minutes assigned to each anjuman representative, referred to  41 permanent residents and a floating population of 31 members. Running an agiary and a "fairly well appointed dharamshala,” the anjuman has a good rapport with the municipal corporation which sanctioned Rs 12 lakhs for the maintenance of the aramgah. Work is under way to pave the entrance, pathways, install lights and benches.

 

North  Zone
Bakhtawar Karbhari representing Jabalpur stated that the Madhya Pradesh town had 30 remaining Parsis, "of whom 80% are over 60 years of age.” With a corpus of Rs 25 lakhs, the anjuman aids students and holds functions on March 21 each year. The aramgah is safe from encroachments, she reported. North Zone vice president Tehmton Anklesaria was happy to report that the open land near their dharamshala is rented out to a nursing home where Parsi patients are treated free of cost and also assures the anjuman of a monthly rent of Rs 1,25,000.

 

 

 

 

Ronny Dick of Jhansi made an emotionally charged plea for help from the FPZAI to safeguard their dharamshala and aramgah land from being usurped by two younger members of the anjuman. "The land is worth about Rs 20 crores,” he said. Ten Parsis are left in that railway town, though there are 26 on the register of the anjuman, he said. "This is a classic case of an anjuman not signing the custodianship agreement,” stated Anklesaria. Dick concluded his impassioned appeal with a recommendation that the Federation confer a lifetime achievement award to its erstwhile honorary secretary Keki Gandhi who has "done a great job in getting the full Indian community together.”
Mhow, with a 170-year-old place of worship and a dakhma that is six years older, has a population of 38 Parsis, stated Cyrus Mancherji.
Though bereft of an agiary, Ratlam enjoys the facilities of the 9,000 sq ft G. D. Anklesaria Rotary Hall, which under the trust deed can be used by the Anjuman free of cost. With a membership strength of 15, "there are no children left in Ratlam,” said Tehmton Anklesaria. An aramgah exists in that town, with a tube well dug there recently, financed by the Minorities Commission. The anjuman arranges for annual trips to Udvada with members from Mhow and Indore.