Bardoli Agiyari Appeal

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: TZML Admins <tzmladmn@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Feb 11, 2011 at 8:04 PM
Subject: Bardoli Agiyari Appeal
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>

Dear humdins,

enclosed is an appeal for donations towards the Bardoli Agiyarui.

Sincerely
TZML Admins

"Aashish", Suthar Falia, Bardoli, Dist. Surat – 394 601.
Trust Reg. No. C/164 Surat
02622 229270        e-Mail:  nesjap@yahoo.co.in
Date: August 25, 2010

Dear Mesdames / Sirs,

You may be aware that the Bardoli Jarthosti Anjuman (BJA) has made
in-roads in the field of charity to our fellow brethren as also to all
mankind when we have, with the blessings from Ahura Mazda, planned and
successfully executed many projects for the upliftment of the poor and
downtrodden people in Bardoli and the surrounding areas.

Our Trust is known amongst the poor for providing relief during their
time of need, be it in the field of housing, helping the poverty
stricken, the old and the aged, and providing help to those affected
by natural calamities.

We are happy to announce that our Bardoli Agiary which was consecrated
in December 1885, will be completing a glorious span of 125 years on
Roj Adar, Mah Tir Yz 1380 ie. on November 25, 2010.  This is the only
functioning Agiary in the East of the whole of Surat District having a
Mobed to look after the Holy Atash Padshah Saheb.

However, on account of our several commitments to alleviate the misery
of the poor families living in abject poverty, we have been unable to
build-up our corpus.  For your information, the corpus of BJA is
Rs.4,27,000/- only as of date.  You will agree that in the present
times, this corpus amount is ridiculously low!  At this juncture, we
are faced with the herculean task of repairing and refurbishing our
Agiary which is presently in a very dilapidated condition.  The wood
has all gone rotten due to white ants and there is heavy leakage from
the roof and the walls which could prove detrimental to the Atash
Padshah Saheb.

The Agiary building, after serving the community members for 125 years
has weathered the vagaries of nature and is now in urgent need of
structural repairs and renovations which is estimated at about
Rs.81,50,000/- (Rupees Eighty One Lakhs and Fifty Thousand only).
Therefore, on the advice of our Architect, Mr. Jehanbux T. Bilimoria
of Mumbai, we will need to initially construct the Mobed Quarters in
the Agiary compound, shift the Holy Fire there and thereafter
reconstruct the Agiary building.  As you may be aware, the expenses to
be incurred, is way beyond our means.

On behalf of Bardoli Jarthosti Anjuman, we hereby make this humble
appeal to all philanthropic individuals and Trusts to help us
financially in this project of utmost importance to our community and
our religion as, all the other Agiaries in the radius of 50 kms around
Bardoli – in Surat District, have either shifted their holy Fire
elsewhere and closed down or do not have a full time Mobed to look
after their Agiary.

The trustees of BJA has decided that any donor who donates
Rs.80,00,000/- or above will have the privilege of naming the entire
complex including the Mobed quarters building as per the donors wish
and a Marble plaque along with a photograph / bust to be placed near
the entrance of the Agiary Complex or in the Agiary Premises. Any
donor who donates Rs.15,00,000/- or above will have the privilege of
naming one wing of the Agiary as per the donors wish and a Marble
plaque along with the photograph if any, will be placed in this wing.
All donations above Rs.50,000/- will be mentioned on a marble plaque
to be placed in the Agiary premises.

As per our policy of accountability towards our donors, we hereby
guarantee that all our donors will be at liberty to examine and check
our books of accounts and a copy of the audited accounts will be
supplied to them on request.

Please send your contribution in the name of Bardoli Jarthosti
Anjuman. We assure you that all donations will immediately be
acknowledged and our official stamped receipt issued thereof.

Thanking you and looking forward to your favorable response.

Yours truly,

First ever perpetually burning Atash Dadgah in the Western World

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: aspi colah
Date: Fri, Feb 11, 2011 at 9:01 AM
Subject: First ever perpetually burning Atash Dadgah in the Western World

Dear Friends, Some of you might have heard about this already...but if you would indulge and kindly check out our website www.myzdgroup.org and give me some feed back and suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.  Some of you might know me from the traditional zoroastrian portals...others, I am a devoted follower of your blogs and postings...this is a special request to all you stalwarts. I know we cant replicate the religious power houses we have in India...but this is a grass root effort by some of us here to do the right thing and to leave a lasting legacy for our community and our children here to emulate and follow. I would also appreciate if one of you could forward this to KND, now ofcourse Vada Dasturji Saheb Kaikhoshrow Nawroji Dastur Meherjirana...who's religious expertise and intricate knowledge of khshnoom has so helped and inspired me to create this unique design of our beloved Farohar shaped Ahunavar Complex. Thanking you one and all for keeping the divine light shining for us all. Yours respectfully, Aspi Colah. P.S: also please forward to Gustad Forbes, Nauzer Bharucha, Karl Sahukar and others.

When Zarathustra Spoke, new book by Mary Settegast

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Geve Narielwalla
Date: Fri, Feb 11, 2011 at 3:30 PM
Subject: When Zarathustra Spoke, new book by Mary Settegast

Dear all, "When Zarathustra Spoke, The Reformation of Neolithic Culture and Religion," a 2005 publication, is authored by Mary Settegast, who holds a graduate degree from the UCLA at Berkely, with a degree in archaeology from Columbia University, (published by Mazda Publishers Inc. www.mazdapub.com)  This bold book breaks new ground with a fresh look at recent improved calibration of archaeology remains and objects, and the almost sudden change in people's pattern of livelihood during the neolithic period (8000 to6000 B.C.), for proving our traditional dating of the prophet's era, 7000 B.C.  Starting with the various Greek mention of the Prophet Zarathustra's dating of 7000- 6000 B.C by Pliny, Eudoxus,    Xanthus and Plutarch, the author assembles the most recent updates on information of the sites and objects of Neolithic Near East, Middle East and Central Asia. There is  almost sudden change in people's preference for settled life with agriculture, in place of pastoralism, nomadism, (including the raiding of the few settled peoples when pastures failed.)  There is a disappearance  of  warlike motifs, from 6500 B.C., from the archaeology digs in this region, replaced by the profusion of copper vessels, with a huge variety of patterns that reflect a new 'ideology.' (in the words of the author.) The author further asserts there was no pressing need  for this  change from nomadism and pastoralism (or even late hunter gathering from earlier periods), and there was no pressure of population, and that people were in fact accustomed, from several centuries, of a livelihood from hunting, wild crops gathering, and grazing of lifestock that was still in the process of domesticating more animals. Several archaeologists and scholars are referred, to put forward the new belief they hold, that dynamic change is only brought about by a new ideology, religious ideology being the only predominant one in ancient days. This brings the author to Zarathustra, as she seems to arrive at the conclusion,  the only reason for these sudden dynamic changes in the history of neolithic civilization, seem to point at the new message from the prophet, urging people to adopt a settled way of life with agriculture.  The author apparently argues (my conclusion from the first reading of this book) that with the present  dating of Prophet Zarathustra at 1500 B.C.-1100 B.C. or the other dating of 600 B.C. by which times agriculture was a long established way of life, why would the new message place so much stress on agriculture and reverence for all of nature. This would be far more relevant in a more ancient dates, the traditional dating of the prophet, also mentioned by the Greeks, of around 6500 B.C. , when the peoples of the ancient regions were made aware of the benefits of a settled agricultural life, and the required care of the natural elements for the best results for agriculture. The author brings forth the new (for me atleast) finding that the huge number of copper vessels of this period are not used for any domestic purpose (as by the latest and new scientific methods show) like cooking or storing(!!!), but for only artistic and thus ceremonial purposes(!) As all communication between peoples of those days was oral, the huge profusion of patterns and motifs on vessels and bowls, of a very high degree of artistry, could have a hidden layer of meaning: there is, for example, one motif of the Sun in the center of a pattern, seen on many vessels - is this the Sun standing still at creation of the Universe by Ahura Mazda? Because, the author also finds, patterns that show the Sun "moving," which as per our traditions of the creation story, where after Ahriman's attack on the good creation, the sun begins to move in the heavens. There are repeatedly a huge number of vessels with patterns of light and dark shades, would this be the struggle between good and evil, the author asks? She clarifies further that the close similarity of the Gatha dialect with the Rigveda, could also mean  this latter literature based on words of similarity derived from the more ancient proto-Indo European group, but may be of a much later date, ie the available dialects had not changed much! The book is interesting, explores new ground with new methods of dating for archaeology etc, that forms the basis for the ancient dating of Zarathustra, that is why I thought I should inform that reading this book is worth it. For me it is available at my local council library. Geve Narielwalla Auckland.    We have a book here that explores the traditional dating of Prophet Zarathustra within the new findings

 

This New Year 2011, Help Akshaya Patra feed schoolchildren in India

Happy New Year 2011 to all my readers and their families!

All the Best for the New Year.

This New Year 2011, Help Akshaya Patra feed schoolchildren and increase education in India. Your one-off donation (not a big amount) actually feeds a midday meal to 1 or more children for a full year. This is the best value we have seen, thanks to help from the government of India.

http://www.foodforeducation.org/index.php?content=31

It only takes $11.50 to feed a child in India for an ENTIRE school year, to ensure that she stays in school and continues her education. If you have an Indian bank account, you can pay in Indian Rupees from your bank.

World Currency or Paypal

http://www.foodforeducation.org/index.php?content=9

Indian Rupees

http://www.akshayapatra.org/individual-donors

Their website mentions: "Realizing that a nutritious school meal is an effective means of getting underprivileged children come to school and complete their education, we formed a not-for-profit organization in June 2000 to take up this cause. Our purpose - to provide "unlimited food for education", thus freeing children from the vicious cycle of poverty and ensuring them an education.

It was only right that we named our organization Akshaya Patra – a vessel from which unlimited amounts of food may be drawn.

We started as a pilot project in five schools in Bangalore, feeding 1,500 children and have now grown into a mammoth endeavor reaching out to over a million children in 17 locations across seven states in India.

Today, we firmly believe that feeding and educating an underprivileged child is not charity; it’s our social responsibility."

Regards,

Porus.

Remove thirst of some Indian families

Friends,

Happy Diwali. If any of you are interested in removing the thirst of
some Indian families, here are the details.
You can pay directly by NEFT in India and all it takes is Rs5000 for a
bore well. See below for the
account details of the NGO.

This is considered a good act in all religions - be it Hinduism,
Islam, Christianity, Judaism or
Zoroastrianism. See below for the details. Please forward to your own
friends and family.

Mother Teresa said in one of her talks:
On the last day, Jesus will say to those on His right hand, "Come,
enter the Kingdom. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was
thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you visited me." Then
Jesus will turn to those on His left hand and say, "Depart from me
because I was hungry and you did not feed me, I was thirsty and you
did not give me to drink, I was sick and you did not visit me." These
will ask Him, "When did we see You hungry, or thirsty or sick and did
not come to Your help?" And Jesus will answer them, "Whatever you
neglected to do unto one of these least of these, you neglected to do
unto Me!"

Regards.

Porus.

On Sat, Oct 30, 2010 at 1:57 PM, Narra Srinivasa Rao <cerdsns@gmail.com> wrote:

>
> Dear Sir / Madam,
>
>
>
> Thank you for expressing your interest to do some help to the activities, which have been implementing by us in part of 'upliftment of the lives of rural disadvantaged people'.
>
>
>
>
>
> Cost of bore wells:
>
>
>
> Cost of Mark-I borewell + Platform = Rs. 30,000/-, which can helps about 125 families belonging to dry land areas. (This can be donated only by Option 1 & 2 since this request is yet to be listed in Option 3)
>
>
>
> Cost of Mark-II bore well + Platform = Rs.5,000/-, which can helps about 20 to 30 families belonging to Sea-coastal areas. (You can donate by all 3 options)
>
>
>
>
>
> Mode of donation transfer: Of course, you can send your donation through any one of the following three options.
>
>
>
> Option 1: Cheque (or) D.D in favour of 'Chaitanya Educational and Rural Development Society' payable at Chilakaluripet.
>
>
>
> Option 2: Through NEFT transaction:
>
>
>
> For Non-FCRA Transactions:
>
>
>
>
>
> a.      Chaitanya Educational and Rural Development Society,
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> A/c No.783504256,
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> Indian Bank,
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> Chilakaluripet,
>
> IFSC Code: IDIB000C021
>
>              (or)
>
>
>
> b.      Chaitanya Educational and Rural Development Society,
>
> A/c No.630701106554,
>
> ICICI Bank Ltd,
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> Guntur Main Branch,
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> IFSC/NEFT/RTGS Code: ICIC0006307
>
>
>
>  For Foreign Contributions:
>
>
>
> Chaitanya Educational and Rural Development Society,
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> A/c No. 400601011000941,
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> VIJAYA BANK,
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> CHILAKALURIPET BRANCH,
>
> IFSC/NEFT/RTGS Code: VIJB0004006
>
> SWIFT CODE: VIJBINBBGUN
>
>
>
> Option 3: Through GiveIndia:  http://www.giveindia.org/m-1047-chaithanya-educational-and-rural-development-society.aspx
>
>
>
> Tax Benefits through donation Options - 1 & 2:
>
>
>
> You will be provided 80G certificate copy (u/s 80G of the IT Act up to 50% of your donation is deductible)
>
>
>
> Tax Benefits through donation Options - 3:
>
>
>
> Since there are lot of benefits under this options, you can follow the link to aware of the tax benefits: http://www.giveindia.org/p-3255-install-a-bore-well-with-platform-for-30-disadvantaged-rural-families.aspx
>
>
>
>
>
> These are the options and tax benefits for your voluable contributions.
>
>
>
> Kindly, send your comments and feedback to us through cerdsns@gmail.com
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
>
>
> Srinivas.N
>
> www.cerds-india.org
>
>
>
> Chaitanya Educational and Rural Development Society
>
> H.No: 3-68/1, 5th lane,
>
> Pandaripuram,
>
> Chilakaluripet - 522 616,
>
> Guntur District,
>
> Andhra Pradesh.
>
>
>
> Ph.No: +91 8647 252333
>
> Mobile No: +91 9666159615
>
>
>
> E-mail: cerdsns@gmail.com
>
> Website: www.cerds-india.org
>
>
>
>

URGENT: IRANSHAH NEEDS YOU TO ACT NOW!

From: Karl Sahukar
Date: Sat, Oct 30, 2010 at 6:06 PM
Subject: URGENT: IRANSHAH NEEDS YOU TO ACT NOW!

Dear Friends,

IRANSHAH NEEDS YOU TO ACT NOW!

Please view the attachments and participate in the signature campaign.

The letters for preserving the environs of Udvada to protect the
sanctity of Iranshah need to be sent to the following addresses either
by post, fax or email:

Shri Narendra Modi, Chief Minister

1st Block, 5th Floor,

New Sachivalaya,

Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Fax: +91-79-2322101 (when dialing from outside India)

Fax: 079-2322101 (when dialing from within India)

protocm@gujarat.gov.in   PRO to Hon. CM

sectocm@gujarat.gov.in   Secretary to Hon. CM

Shri N. P. Thaker, Collector,

Valsad

collector-val@gujarat.gov.in

Regards,

Karl Sahukar

Vote for a 29-year old True Indian Hero on CNN

Forwarded by Porus

Friends,

Vote on CNN for a true Indian Hero 29-year old Narayanan Krishnan here :
http://heroes.cnn.com/vote.aspx
He has provided more than 1.2 million hot meals through his nonprofit
organization Akshaya Trust, and now hopes to extend this to shelter
for the homeless too.

Please forward this to your friends too, its a good cause.

================================================================

He brings hot meals to India 's homeless
==============================

New Delhi:  If you had not heard of Narayanan Krishnan, as I had not,
it is a collective failure. This is one of the most incredible stories
of personal commitment.

Narayanan Krishnan, all of 29 years old now, does what he was
professionally trained to do as a chef. Feed people. Only Krishnan
does not do this in the swanky confines of a 5-star hotel. Every day,
he wakes up at 4 am, cooks a simple hot meal and then, along with his
team, loads it in a van and travels about 200 km feeding the homeless
in Madurai , Tamil Nadu.
Krishnan feeds, often with his hands, almost 400 destitute people
every day. And for those who need it, he provides a free haircut too.

According to CNN, eight years ago, this award-winning chef with a
five-star hotel chain was all set to go to Switzerland for a
high-profile posting. On a visit to a Madurai temple, he came across a
homeless, old man eating his own human waste. That stark sight changed
Krishnan's life.

Much to the dismay of his parents, CNN says, Krishnan abandoned his
career plans and decided to spend his life and his professional
training in looking after those who could not care for themselves. He
has provided more than 1.2 million hot meals through his nonprofit
organization Akshaya Trust, and now hopes to extend this to shelter
for the homeless too.

Krishnan is the only Indian in a list of 10 heroes that CNN has picked
worldwide to honor. One of them will be chosen CNN Hero of the Year,
selected by the public through an online poll. If many Indians get
together to vote for this inspiring man, he can win by a long mile.

If Krishnan wins he will get $100,000 in addition to the $25,000 that
he gets for being shortlisted for the Top 10. Akshaya Trust needs all
the monetary support it can get to build on Krishnan's dream. Let's
help him get there.

Vote for Krishnan here : http://heroes.cnn.com/vote.aspx
The poll continues through November 18 at 6 a.m. ET.