Friday, July 29, 2011

POEM


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: armin motashaw
Date: Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Subject: POEM


JUST THINKING ALOUD ABOUT THE FEARS.... ON THE DANGEROUS GROUNDS WE ARE TREDING
 
WHERE WILL THIS LEAD US TO...........
 
 
                                          OBSESSION
 
OBSESSION TO CONVERT & ACCEPT CONVERTS IS THE LATEST ISSUE.
 
MAY BE, WE SHOULD RESEARCH IN GENETICS - ON CLONE - TISSUE
 
OR YET, SEND MISSIONARIES TO RE-CONVERT  MUSLIM-IRAN
 
MAY BE, THAT WAY WE CAN EVEN REGAIN OUR LOST TEHRAN
 
WOULD SOMEONE TRY TO RE-CONVERT PRIYANKA & RAHUL
 
PHIROZE'S GRANDCHILDREN ALSO INCLUDE PHIROZE-VARUN
 
THEN; VARIED WILL BE OUR PARSI NAMES AND SURNAMES
 
TO BE PARSIS; SINGH, IYER, NAMWANI, WILL ALL MAKE CLAIMS
 
SNUBBED-NOSED PARSIS THERE WILL BE -  WHITE, BLACK, BROWN
 
AT A DARK-STOCKY LOOKING PARSI, THEN NO BODY WILL EVER FROWN
 
THE RACE THAT STOOD OUT SO TALL, SO DISTINCTLY WILL BE NO MORE
 
ALAS OUR GREAT ANCESTORS WILL BE REMEMBERED IN A FOLK-LORE
 
 
ARMIN DUTIA MOTASHAW
 


POEM



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: armin motashaw
Date: Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 7:24 PM
Subject: POEM


                                    SELF  ANNIHILATION
 
 
WHO CAN HELP US BUT OURSELVES....  NO ONE ELSE SURELY ! !
 
 BUT TO HELP OURSELVES, WE ARE PROGRESSING VERY POORLY.
 
SELF-ANNIHILATION, KAMIKAZE, SUICIDE IS WHAT WE ARE UP TO
 
IT IS NOT AS IF WE DO NOT KNOW, WHAT WE MUST QUICKLY DO
 
HAPPEN WHAT MAY; WHO CARES....IT IS ZARTHUSHTRA'S HEADACHE
 
WHY SHOULD I SACRIFICE FOR ZARTHUSHTRA'S  OR RELIGION'S SAKE
 
 
 
WHO CAN WAKE UP OUR SLEEPY COMMUNITY, THAT CARES V. LITTLE;
 
LIKE NERO- WHEN ROME WAS BURNING, WAS COOLLY PLAYING THE FIDDLE
 
WE DO NOT BELIEVE,  LEARN OR TEACH OUR CHILDREN, RELIGIOUS TENETS
 
WE WANT TO FIGHT, ARGUE, DISAGREE & FOR THIS, FORM CHAOTIC SENATES
 
NO MARRIAGES, LATE-MARRIAGES, LOW FERTILITY, INTERFAITH MARRIAGES, RUIN US
 
ANY DOUBTS ? ? ? ARE NOT WE FULLY READY FOR SELF - ANNIHILATION,  THUS.
 
 
 
ARMIN DUTIA MOTASHAW
 Reply Reply to all Forward

POEM



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: armin motashaw
Date: Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 7:24 PM
Subject: POEM


                                    SELF  ANNIHILATION
 
 
WHO CAN HELP US BUT OURSELVES....  NO ONE ELSE SURELY ! !
 
 BUT TO HELP OURSELVES, WE ARE PROGRESSING VERY POORLY.
 
SELF-ANNIHILATION, KAMIKAZE, SUICIDE IS WHAT WE ARE UP TO
 
IT IS NOT AS IF WE DO NOT KNOW, WHAT WE MUST QUICKLY DO
 
HAPPEN WHAT MAY; WHO CARES....IT IS ZARTHUSHTRA'S HEADACHE
 
WHY SHOULD I SACRIFICE FOR ZARTHUSHTRA'S  OR RELIGION'S SAKE
 
 
 
WHO CAN WAKE UP OUR SLEEPY COMMUNITY, THAT CARES V. LITTLE;
 
LIKE NERO- WHEN ROME WAS BURNING, WAS COOLLY PLAYING THE FIDDLE
 
WE DO NOT BELIEVE,  LEARN OR TEACH OUR CHILDREN, RELIGIOUS TENETS
 
WE WANT TO FIGHT, ARGUE, DISAGREE & FOR THIS, FORM CHAOTIC SENATES
 
NO MARRIAGES, LATE-MARRIAGES, LOW FERTILITY, INTERFAITH MARRIAGES, RUIN US
 
ANY DOUBTS ? ? ? ARE NOT WE FULLY READY FOR SELF - ANNIHILATION,  THUS.
 
 
 
ARMIN DUTIA MOTASHAW


Sunday, July 3, 2011

Process of Consigning to Doongerwadi , Mumbai , from Overseas

Baname Khuda.

                                  Process of Consigning to Doongerwadi , Mumbai , from Overseas

Why Dokhmenashini.?
Importance of Dokhmenashini: Ervad notes.
Please also refer to recording by Dr.Chiniwalla on Dokhmenashini   at BPP website, linked through Zoroastrian.net
Returning the deceased for his/her last rites requires proper pre planning and teamwork   
The project needs to be broken up in smaller parts and each part needs to be executed with precision.   It is not difficult if properly planned and coordinated.  Total costs thus far have been less/compatible to burial expenses, if one person/family member is accompanying  the corpse.
This full brief is based on various personal experiences on consigning to Mumbai  from California, USA, only, and is predicated on proper planning and back up support in Mumbai.  Hopefully with this initiative, volunteers from other countries will share their process. Requirements of each county/ state/province/country differ.  It also assumes death due to natural causes only, without contagious disease.  Before deciding to consign to Doongerwadi please refer to official website of BPP at www.bombayparsipanchayat.com/doongerwadi.html  to ensure procedure/eligibility etc.
The various parts of the project are:
  1. Most important-Tarikats (spiritual disciplines) to be followed. Ervad Marzban Hathiram has kindly volunteered to guide and advise on this matter. Please contact him at marzban.hathiram@gmail.com well in advance.    
  2. Arrangements to be made immediately upon death.
  3. Documents to prepare for a) Arrival in India and Doongerewadi b) Indian embassy c) Transportation.  Clearly all these documents have to comply with US Federal and state regulations.
  4. Arrangements  to be made prior arrival of the ruvaan at Mumbai
  5. Clearing the body in Mumbai and transporting to Doongerwadi  the same day  .


1. Pre planning :
A) Identify an experienced and established mortuary .  It is a great support system to advice on latest requirements , documents  procedures, shipment  , travel rates,   and relevant website  of Indian Embassy(keeps changing) .
B )Be in touch with your family members in Mumbai and start 4 days obsequies (except Geh Sarna ) immediately upon last breath,  with your family panthak in Mumbai.  In addition, you may also carry out the same obsequies (except Geh Sarna) at place of death, if you have an access to a mobed.  Ervad Hathiram has also compiled a detailed brief on the full 4 day obsequies to be carried out. Please refer to this article at:    (Ervad please enter the address.)
C) Plan on someone to personally hand carry required  documents (listed below in 3)  to be notarized by Indian embassy in USA. Proper contact needs to be established at the embassy to save time.  With advanced planning  notarization can be done in a day.  
D) It is important to bear in mind that corpses to India can  be cleared only if embalmed .Embalming consists of removing blood from the body and injecting  formaldehyde in its place to delay rigor mortis (decomposition). Embalming adds to transshipment weight. An elegant, light coffin is necessary to limit costs. White coffins are also available.  
2. Arrangements upon death :
A) Light a diva at deceased's head and have someone pray Ashem Vohu continuously
B) Arrange for the body to be transported to mortuary immediately
C) Start four day obsequies see 1 B) above.
D) Ask mortuary to prepare body for air shipment to Mumbai .Embalm the body as soon as possible
E) If possible, apply Taro to the deceased with help of family/humdeens.
F) Prepare relevant documents.(no.3 blow)
G) Alert family members in Mumbai   see 4 below.  Also alert volunteer team detailed in 4, 5 .
I) Always double check with Doongerwadi and volunteers in 4, about all  documents required prior shipping the body from overseas. Make sure all original sets for India and place of departure are prepared.
3. Documents
Death certificate ( stating cause of death-natural cause ),embalming certificate , a certificate stating that death was not due to any contagious disease, flight schedule on airline letter head.  All documents need to be notarized by Indian embassy.Prepare seven copies of each document ,including two originals.  In addition  a no objection certificate will have to be obtained on arrival Mumbai, .See 5) Clearing the body.
4. Arrangements prior to arrival In Mumbai :A) Inform family members who should coordinate with flight details to have  Doongerwadi Hearst ready upon arrival  ,notifying bungli etc.  All Doongerwadi details, phone numbers are available on BPP website, or they can be made  available through volunteers below. .   
B) Mr.,. Mehernosh Fitter  has kindly volunteered to help in this  process. His experience , connections can be very helpful for swift, seamless clearance . If you need to contact him he can be reached at Mumbai @ 2412 2999 OR CELL 98201 57534 FAX; 2416 2886   email:  meherdel@vsnl.net.   He has received  consigned bodies at Sahar airport in the past and helped clear them with family members.  
C) M/s Kashmira Rao has kindly consented to volunteer   to help out with the coordinating process .She can be reached at Mumbai cell 91- 9833199985 e-mail: ilg@vsnl.netu
5 Clearing the body :
Since volunteers have kindly consented to take care of this detail, please advise family members to contact and thoroughly  plan the procedure with them . It involves clearing the body with customs and health department, making statements at Sahar airport police station who may ask to open the coffin and site the corpse,  making a panchnama and obtaining a no objection certificate. Police, Customs , Health, Doongerwadi all need copies of relevant documents.    It must be stressed to  family members that planning saves a lot of time  to consign to Doongerwadi .
The whole process with proper planning and coordination  takes about six days from US .
Mrs. Silloo Mehta of California has always helped out in these matters . From  US you may contact her at
949-551-5252 .
You are also welcome to get in touch with sam.billimoria@gmail.com.
Please do not impose any financial requests/obligations to any of the volunteers above.


Sunday, June 26, 2011

Patuck Polytechnic Trust::Educational Institute

You might find this article interesting and informative. 
 
Please spread the word around to let other Zarathushtis know about it, and
avail themselves of the education opportunities. 
 
50% of the seats are allocated for Parsis...However, currently only 2 Parsi
students out of a total of 3,500 students are registered. 
 
Thanks,
 
Regards,
Sam M.Billimoria


Patuck Polytechnic Trust::Educational Institute 


How many of us Parsis know that there is a reputed school and college of commerce and management in Mumbai, which provides free education to Parsi students? As a minority community institution 50% seats are reserved for Parsis.  This article is written to make our community aware of the opportunities provided by Patuck Polytechnic Trust in the field of education.


History: Late Mr. Rustomji Hormusji Patuck was the founder and sole settler of Patuck Polytechnic Trust in 1932.  He was a Parsi businessman settled in Manchester, U.K.  He was a merchant prince turned technical educationist.  He was groomed at the Manchester College of Technology.  He became a philanthropist in the cause of vocational and professional education on his return to India.  He was born on 12th November 1860 and passed away on 20th October 1936.  Rustomba Patuck as he was popularly known to his close associates started Modern Industrial School in 1934 to impart technical and vocational training in weaving and carpentry.  He ran the school in Gujarati medium, in hired premises with eight students.  He himself was the founder principal, chief instructor and caretaker all rolled into one.  He established the Trust with a corpus of Rs. 9 lakhs for the running of the Institutions managed by the Trust.  He was the preceptor of the concept of work experience and vocationalisation of technical education at the secondary and higher secondary levels.  His credo was "Work is worship".

Patuck Complex is situated at Vakola, one km. away from Chhatrapati Shivaji Domestic Airport, Mumbai off the Western Express Highway.  The road adjoining the campus is named Rustomba Patuck Marg since 17th July 2004.  It consists of its own 4-acre plot and houses the campus under its Integrated Education system viz. K.G. to P.G. (Kindergarten to PostGraduate).  Its students feature in the merit list at S.S.C., H.S.C. exams and have won laurels in various fields.  The following institutes are conducted by the Trust catering to the educational needs of over 3500 students:

1. Patuck Play School

2. Patuck Pre-Primary School (1994)

3. Patuck Primary English School (1994)

4. Patuck Technical High School (1945) and Jr. College (Science - 1982), (Vocational - 1986), & Commerce

5. Patuck Gala College of Commerce & Management (2002)

6. Yeshwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University Study Centre for Diploma course in Engineering (1998)

7. Gala Infotech Centre (2000)

8. Patuck Industrial Training Centre (1981)


Patuck Gala College of Commerce & Management was started in 2002.  It is affiliated to the University of Mumbai for teaching Commerce (B. Com.) and Management (BMS – Bachelor of Management Studies).  Dr. C. M. Sankaran Kutty is the Principal.  The Trust is starting a Law College from June 2005, and also Master of Management Studies (M.M.S.) courses shortly.

Organising Board: Mr. Adil J. Patuck, grand nephew of the founder is the chairman. Professor Rustom Kaikhushroo Mody, former Principal and Secretary, VJTI is a director. Mr. J. J. Goiporia is the Honorary Secretary. Principal K. G. K. Kurup is the administrator. Postal address is 100, Nehru Road, Vakola Bridge, Santacruz (East), Mumbai 400 055. Tel. no. 26680939, 2668 3806.

Junior College -Science (1982)


Students desirous of going for higher studies in Engineering, Medicine or Para-Medical courses and other science faculties can opt for Jr. College-Science.

1. Pure Science

2. Science with information Technology

3. Science with Vocational Subject – Computer Science or Mechanical maintenance


Junior College – Vocational (1986)

Objectives:  Govt. of India in its National Education Policy contemplated Vocational Education at plus two stage (after SSC) having minimum competencies in various fields. On completion of these two-year courses as vocational technicians with NCERT certificate, the trainees directly enter the world of work. Patuck has several courses in which well-qualified teachers in its own well-equipped laboratories and workshops impart training.

Special Features:   (1) On the Job Training of six weeks compulsory.  (2) Computer Awareness is an added competency.  (3) Received National Award for School Industry Linkage in 1998 from NCERT, Govt. of India.


A. Accounting and Auditing

Subjects: English, Hindi, Financial Accounting, Cost Accounting, Auditing.

Job Opportunities: Accounts assistant, Cashier, Ledger clerk, Audit clerk, Audit assistant. Can render services independently on accounting activities as self employed in any of these jobs.

B. Auto Engineering Technician

Subjects: English, Hindi, Mechanical Technology, Auto and Diesel Cycle, Engineering Drawing, Garage Management & Motor Vehicle rules.

Job Opportunities: Auto mechanic, Service mechanic, Vehicle surveyor and loss assessor, driver, auto fitter.

C. Building Maintenance

Subjects: English, Hindi, Construction technology, Estimating and costing, Construction management and accounts, Building yard practice.

Job opportunities: Supervisor, contractor, plumber, consultant for maintenance, entrepreneurship.

D. Electronics Technology

Subjects: English, Hindi, Basic electricity materials, Basic electronics, Applied electronics, Electronic instrumentation, Consumer electronics, Industrial electronics & Line Communication.

Job opportunities: Maintenance and repair of electronic equipment, sales and service centre for electronic equipment, manufacture of electronic equipment, mobile service centre for sales and service in rural areas.

E. Maintenance and repair of electrical domestic appliances

Subjects: English, Hindi, Material and workshop practice, Domestic appliances, Elements of electrical technology.

Job opportunities: Manufacture, testing, repair, selling domestic appliances. Dealership / Agency, repair shop of electrical domestic appliances.

F. Mechanical technology

Subjects: English, Hindi, Mechanical technology, Engineering Drawing, Operation and Maintenance of machine tools, Engineering science.

Job opportunities: Skilled worker in turning, fitting, welding, chargeman supervisor, instructor.

G. Medical Laboratory Technician

Subjects: Anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, clinical biochemistry, microbiology and parasitology, clinical pathology and haematology, Blood Bank, Histo technology, Laboratory management and ethics.

Job opportunities: Laboratory technician in colleges, hospitals, pharma labs, health centres. Self employment as distributor for lab chemicals, wares, equipment and spare parts.

H. Tourism and Travel Techniques

Subjects: Introduction to tourism, Heritage of India, Economics and geography of tourism, transport, hospitality industry and business communication, travel agency operations.

Job opportunities: Tour organiser, tour operator, travel counsellor, transporters, tourist cars, buses, Pilgrimage tour organisers.


At present only two Parsi students are availing of this golden opportunity. It is hoped that more and more Parsi students become aware and take advantage of this renowned institution.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

TheParseeVoice ANAHITA YAZDI DESAI – THE SOCIAL CRUSADER

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: The Parsee Voice
Date: Sat, Jun 25, 2011 at 12:32 AM
Subject: TheParseeVoice ANAHITA YAZDI DESAI – THE SOCIAL CRUSADER
To: the-parsee-voice@googlegroups.com


We reiterate with all the emphasis at our command that a vote for Ms Anahita Desai is a vote for progress, a vote for stability, a vote for traditionalism.

 

·         Put aside all your doubts and worries about the takeover of the BPP Board by the WAPIZ trustees. It is neither true nor practical.

·         Do not heed the charge of it being a gher-no-ghambhar, for it is definitely not! Remember, it is you and me who will cast our votes and decide and not the Board.

·         It is not nepotism either, for there is no element of internal favouritism involved on the part of the BPP Board. She is a competent and accomplished lady in her own right and nobody can deny her the opportunity of serving the community as best she can.

·         She is honest and forthright.

·         She is a grassroots level worker and understands the aspirations and problems of the ordinary bawaji.

           

The second round of voting for the vacancy in the BPP Board is due to take place as under :

 

Saturday, 25th June 2011 – Cusrow Baug

Sunday, 26th June 2011 – Rustom Baug

 

            So dear humdeens, please shake of your lethargy and make it to the polling booths this weekend. You owe this much to yourself and to your community. Please rewmember to take your voters'registration certificates and photo identification.


Regards

The Editor
The Parsee Voice


Wednesday, June 22, 2011

The betrayers of Zoroastrianism

From: Geve Narielwalla
Date: Tue, Jun 21, 2011 at 7:39 PM


I have been thinking of this for several days, and I keep getting the feeling I should put my thoughts down in writing. 

These BPP elections, presently and in the future, seems to be also a well camouflaged fight between those who are traditional and very religious or who consider all our heritage and traditions precious and worthy of preservation on one hand, and those who have developed disrespect and mockery for our heritage and religion, well hidden in a front image that these things are of no interest or value, a waste of time.  

Those who are bent on getting inter marrieds' spouses and their children into the Zoroastrian fold, and also do away with the system of dokhmenishi, are not just the enemies, the worst hidden enemies are those who display very disrespectful, indifferent and confrontational  attitude to all  Zoroastrian religious practices and rituals/tarikats. These are ready market for the liberals

Not only do they avoid these rituals and tarikats, but they also criticize and discourage and mock those who wish to practise these.

This is the acid test of who these people are. They look down and criticize everything, the nirang used before the Navjote, to the ceremonies for the dead, the difficult and strenuous rituals to become a navar martab, total disregard of holy places, even the house holy objects/shrine can be approached close by a women in menses........everything is poohpoofed.

These are the real enemies of the religion, not just our Zoroastrian religion, but any religion, because these are probably atheists need not be posing as liberals, but more as indifferent individuals, that religion is very oddly out of place in this age, without being these so called liberals. 

Use every logic one can use for deliberating this very curious phenomena in our community:

If an individual does not find that rituals and tarikats are of any good use, spiritual or otherwise of benefit, at least respect and display  pride and magnanimity towards the religious institutions, above all respect the wishes of those who want to be traditional or orthodox. Why run down all those who do not suit their views? 

A decent human being would disagree, but not climb on those and try bully and scoff and ridicule those who differ from their views. 

This senseless and arrogant push to mock and look down on our Zoroastrian institutions, rituals, ceremonies is in fact that these individuals wish to destroy all these millennia old heritage of Zoroastrianism. They have proudly discarded wearing the sudreh-kusti, gloatingly sharing their secret with their cronies of like mind. 

These will scoff at the current writing s in various media etc that Zoroastrianism was the world's first monotheistic religion, or that Iran was once a great power .......these are "westernised" or "Bollywood films, and/or only Indian history only is great" types, to the point where anything relating to their own ancestral heritage is an embarrassment!    

Then there is, curiously, this further arrogant attitude from this group.......they have no fellow feeling for their Zoroastrian community members, they will only rub shoulders with those who are 'high society' within the community, no desire to help the poor in the community or run charities on a genuine basis of helping the real needy, accommodation allotted to the wrong people,  and more showcase charities to non-Parsis, to get a mileage in the country.

They could also be counted amongst the middle middle class, one can easily spot them, because they will avoid any talk on religious or community issues, or when pressed to give opinion, display total indifference, or turn on you and say they are not interested. 

If you try and count the number of these who are already stabbing and betraying Zoroastrianism, may be find they are pretty big numbers.

Geve Narielwalla