Dear Madam / Sir,
Greetings from the Foundation!
Please find attached our Newsletter No. 38 – September 2011.
With Regards
Roda B. Billimoria-Hon. Trustee; Usha P. Bhatia-Principal,TEC
Sir Shapurji Billimoria Foundation
Correspondence Address: Nanik Niwas Bldg., 2nd Flr. Flat No. 24, Opp. Tata Garden, Warden Road, Mumbai 26.
Tel/Fax: 23696596 Tel: 66648768
Email: ritestep@gmail.com; rite@vsnl.net
Website: www.riteeducation.org
Fellow Zoroastrians,
Is this how we remember one of the greatest Zoroastrians of recent times, by letting his ancestral house fall into ruins and then be sold
off to a builder?
http://videos.sify.com/DadaBhai-Naorojis-House-SIFY-watch-jeivLTageac.html
Note that this video is a few years old, and that it is incorrectly referred to as Naoroji’s birthplace (he was born in Bombay in what is now Bhendi Bazaar). There were rumors one-and-a-half years ago that the house had been bought by a Navsari Parsi in order to preserve it, but this does not seem to be the case and I have never been able to receive verification. If anyone in Navsari does have news to report on this, please let me know.
I saw this house two years ago and it was in a deplorable state.
Naoroji’s last home, “The Sands” in Versova’s Saat Bangla, was knocked down 25 years ago to make way for a garish apartment building. In any
other country, buildings like these, of great historical importance, would be preserved, especially by the community to which Naoroji also
rendered great service.
Shame on us all.
Dinyar
—
Dinyar Patel
Ph.D. Candidate, Modern South Asia
Department of History
Harvard University
+91 87672 03572
Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago
proudly hosts the
2011
Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism (SSZ) Conference
“Zoroastrian Connections with Christians and Jews”
and
Zoroastrianism-101: “Celebration of the life and work of Sir Jivanji Modi ”
supported by
Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA)
and
World Zoroastrian Organization (WZO)
at the
Arbab Rustom Guiv Darbe Mehr, 8615 Meadowbrook Drive, Burr Ridge, IL 60527,
on
Saturday November 12 and Sunday November 13 , 2011
The Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism (SSZ) is an initiative to promote study and scholarship of the Religion of Zarathushtra, formalized during the Eighth World Zoroastrian Congress in London in 2005. The mission of the Society is to revive the tradition of scholarship within our community among athornans and behdins alike, and to promote interaction among academicians, theologians (priests), educationists, lay scholars and practitioners of Zoroastrianism, through roundtable discussions, conferences and publications. The aim is to make SSZ a prestigious organization on par with scholarly organizations of other faith communities, and merit affiliation with international bodies such as the American Academy of Religions.
SSZ Conferences have been held in Chicago each year since 2006, when noted scholars and students present their research papers. To encourage Zoroastrian studies within the community, these SSZ conferences also include sessions on Zoroastrianism-101 delivered by community members, especially the youth. Persons/Associations interested in the mission and vision of the Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism, are invited to host future Conferences in their areas. SSZ will provide assistance as needed. The organizers enjoy complete autonomy in regard to programming and organizing the Conference.
All community members, students and scholars are invited and encouraged to participate. You will no doubt be enriched, your presence gives support to the speakers, and your feedback is invaluable so that future research efforts may be directed in a constructive manner for the benefit of both the academicians as well as the community.
Registration. Suggested donation is $7 for Saturday dinner and $7 for Sunday breakfast, lunch and tea. Please RSVP by October 31, 2011 to Dinaz Weber (630-830 3430, kenanddina@yahoo.com). For program information contact Rohinton Rivetna (630-325 5383, rivetna@aol.com) or Kayomarsh Mehta (630-654 8828, kayomehta@aol.com) and visit www.s-s-z.org.
PROGRAM
Saturday November 12, 2011 6:00 pm
6:00 Benediction, Monajat, Welcome
6:30 Life of Sir Jivanji Modi, an inspiration – Jivanji’s grandson Jamshed Modi
7:00 Works of Sir Jivanji Modi – Khurshid Ichaporia, student of Zoroastrianism: Yasnaaicha,
Vahmaaicha, Khnaothraaicha, Frasastayaecha; proper study and understanding,
absorption and contemplation, gaining knowledge and imparting of knowledge.
7:30 A record of Sir Jivanji Modi’s travels to heritage lands where formerly Zoroastrianism
flourished – Ervad Soli Dastur, FL
8:45 Dinner
Sunday November 13, 2011 8:30 am
8:30 Registration and Breakfast
9:00 Benediction, Monajat, Welcome
9:30 Zoroastrian Connections with Christian and Jews, Session I
Life after death in Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Judaism – Dr. Pallan Ichaporia,
Zoroastrian connection and influence on Judaism – Rabbi Harold Kudan, founding rabbi of Congregation Am Shalom in Glencoe, IL.
11:30 Jashan Participation with Understanding, a legacy of Late Dastoor Dr. Nowrooz
Minocher – Homji, a beloved of ZAC; an interactive session – Ervad Soli Dastur with
local association members.
12:15 Launch of FEZANA publication “Zoroastrian Connection with Christianity and
Judaism” – Roshan Rivetna
12:30 Lunch and Keynote address: The Future of Zoroastrianism – Keki Bhote
1:30 Zoroastrian Connections with Christian and Jews, Session II
Zoroastrian connection with Armenian Christians – Very Reverend Aren Jebejian,
St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church, Chicago, IL
Concepts from the book under preparation on Zoroastrian connections with other faiths, Dastoor Dr. Kersey H. Antia, IL
3:00 Tea
3:30 Zoroastrian Connection with Christian and Jews, Session III
Zoroastrian connection with Christians – Tony Evensen, St. Ignatius, Chicago, IL.
2nd speaker – TBA
5:00 Closing followed by “Roundtable”: Actions and Assign Responsibilities.
Hear his speech in NewYork in 1893
Courtesy : Jehangir Gilder
Enjoy the video and the explanations with a twist !
http://videos.oneindia.in/watch/50827/a-parsi-wedding.html
Courtesy : Jehangir Bisney
THE UNIVERSITY of WISCONSIN – Department of Biotechnology Govt. of India
KHORANA Program for SCHOLARS
The Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) (and partner universities) and the lndo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) are partnering to support the prestigious Khorana Program for Scholars named in honor of Dr. Har Gobind Khorana, who won the Nobel Prize in 1968 for his work at the interface of Chemistry and Biology while a member of the UW faculty. The Khorana Program will provide opportunities to Indian students to undertake research at University of Wisconsin-Madison and partner universities in Summer 2012 for a period of 10 weeks. A list of UW partner universities is available at https://www.biochem.wisc.edu/faculty/ansari/khorana_program/
The Khorana Program is envisaged to:
• Provide encouragement to young scholars to undertake R&D
• Enable students to carry out research at a premier University in the United States
• Transform research into societal benefits
• Build a seamless scientific community between India and the United States
For application guidelines refer to-www.indousstf.org
Eligibility: B.Tech, M.Tech and M.Sc. students currently enrolled in a recognized institution of higher education in India in the areas of biotechnology including agricultural, health and biomedical sciences.
Scholarship includes: • Stipend • Accommodation • Airfare
For Program information contact: Dr. Nishritha Borrana Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) 12 Halley Road. Fulbright House, New Delhi- 110 001
E-mail: scholar@indousstf.org or krlovely@wisc.edu
Application Deadline : 30 NOVEMBER 2011
Darius turned 85 last Sunday. He, like Gandhiji, was born on 2 October; as he grew up in Madras in the 1920s, early in the morning of his birthday he would be woken up by processions singing Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram. Though he still goes to his office, the company is largely run by Farhad and Naushad, his sons. But he got a star role last Sunday; he inaugurated a new factory site in Chakan, also near Poona. The customary speeches were made. I enjoyed the dinner that evening more. It was on the lawn of Darius’s bungalow; akuri and other Parsi dishes were served on banana leaves.
Dear Friends,
Today we cross 500,000 hits on our website. Thanks to Zoroastrians across the world. What started as a simple hobby, we have crossed our own expectations. We continue to post items of relevance and interest to the community across the world.
We are not a newspaper, although news items do manage to creep in. We would rather stick to our original mandate of creating an archive for posterity. These include books, photos and videos of unique value from multiple sources.
Please write in and let us know what you like, what you dislike and most of all, what you would like to see more of.
Please do refer us to your friends and ask them to subscribe for their daily updates on the community – past, present and future !
Thanks once again to all friends and well-wishers who have shared material whole-heartedly for the benefit of the community.
Best Wishes,
Yazdi Tantra
yazdi@on-lyne.com
Hello Friends of Gram Seva,
I wanted to take a minute to give you all a few updates from Gram Seva Foundation, USA. I remain intimately connected to the foundation that my wife Roda brought to life in support of the thousands children in Kharel and the surrounding villages. Just a few weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting with Dr.’s Ashwin and Harsha Shah (founders of Gram Seva Hospital and Trust in Kharel) while they were in the United States. We spoke of the amazing future we see possible with all of your continued support. The village healthcare and education programs are blossoming and the new Balawas (shelter home) is getting closer to reality each day. I’m planning my trip back to Kharel in early 2012.
The passion and commitment to the success of Gram Seva efforts in the USA doesn’t stop with just me though. My children and their spouses Farhad & Susan, Shiraz & Melanie and Rokhsana & Jay have rapidly become new voices for Gram Seva and are working to expand our reach and share the great story of all that happens because of the leadership and devotion at Gram Seva Hospital in Kharel. Even the grandchildren have shared from their piggy banks and gathered contributions from friends.
As you might expect with any non-profit organization, there are a lot of required administrative, accounting and communication functions – my son in law Jay Bozicevich who joined the board of directors this summer will help me out and handle that work as President of Gram Seva Foundation, USA.
Thank you for your continued support of Gram Seva Foundation. – Dr. Khushroo Patel
Here are just 2 examples of the thousands of success stories your support helps make possible:
Mayur… at age 1 severely malnourished, anemic & with pneumonia; looking much better at discharge; now at age 2 ½ !
Saroj… with TB, after treatment, and today working and helping support her parents.
Courtesy : Aban Kekobad
http://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/9291952.Prince_Philip_visits_Zoroastrian_community_this_morning/
Photographs taken by an inhouse photographer. You will need to copy and paste the below link and double click to enlarge. There were other official photographers, also from the media and BBC did the video
www.flickr.com/photos/68383837@N06/sets/72157627834341256/
Dear Members and wellwishers
ZTFE Trustees, committee and I would like to congratulate and thank all those who helped yesterday’s historic visit by HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh to the Zartoshty Brothers Hall, Zoroastrian Centre for Europe in London such a great success. All feedback from the over 400 attendees was extremely positive with most describing it as an Outstanding Success. May I also say that we all, as an audience and as participants put up exemplary behaviour. Our guests from inter faith organisations, from academia and from political and social arenas were also very impressed.
I am pleased to re-produce what the local press are saying this morning. The words of Prince Philip reflect his own impressions about our community and our contribution. In due course, the speeches made by Lord Bilimoria as well as by Mr F Kavarana of Tatas will also be made available. Some photographs of this historic event can be seen on the ZTFE website: ztfe.com
May Ahura Mazda always Bless our Royal Family and our small but wonderful community
Malcolm M Deboo
President – ZTFE Inc
October 6, 2011
By Ian Proctor | Harrow Observer
The Duke of Edinburgh was treated to a traditional welcome at 11am at the Zoroastrian Centre in Alexandra Avenue when Parsi and Iranian women in brightly coloured dress traced seven circles in the air in front of him with auspicious objects of prosperity – a coconut and an almond wrapped in a paan leaf.
He was given a garland of flowers then met the ervas, or white-robed priests, before being led into the hall for a Thanksgiving ceremony to mark the founding a century and a half ago of what would become the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE).
The Prince said: “I’m delighted to join you in this celebration of 150 years of this organisation. I have heard what a tremendous contribution the Zoroastrians have made to this country, even before 150 years ago. It’s a remarkable record.”
He joked: “Nowadays, we are all for religious freedom but it helps a lot if they are peaceful as well!”
The royal, who arrived in a Landrover – a model now manufactured by the Indian firm Tata that was founded by believers of this ancient religion – continued: “The community has made a huge contribution to the British Isles and it is very much appreciated. It occured to me that I arrived in a Zoroastrian car.
“I do congratulate you on what you have achieved over the last 150 years. One hundred and fifty years is peanuts: I hope you’re still here in 2000 years’ time.”
Zoroastrianism, whose founder Zoroaster was ancient Iranian poet, has 65,000 followers worldwide who worship a holy fire as a symbol of God.
ZTFE president Malcom Deboo said: “We can rightly claim to that we are the oldest religious voluntary organisation in the UK of South Asian origin.
“From humble beginnings, the ZTFE has grown as an organisation. It was not until 1923 that we acquired our first house, and then we nearly went bankrupt. But we’re still here today because Zoroastrians believe in self-help.
“Most Zoroastrians are Royalists and they have an affection for the Royal Family since the reign of Queen Victoria.
“Zoroastrians have a regard of the monarchy, the government and the judiciary because historically they have allowed Zoroastrians to practise their religion feely.”
Mr Deboo explained that in the late 19th and early 20th Century Britain was a haven for Zoroastrians fleeing persecution in their native Iran and that the association had never forgotten the welcome this country had given them and had flourished during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.