FEZANA PAIZ 1377 AY 3746 ZRE VOL. 22, NO. 3 FALL/SEPTEMBER 2008 MahJOURJO Mehr-Avan-Adar 1377 (Fasli) G Mah Ardebehest-Khordad-Tir 1378 AY (Shenshai)N G Mah Khordad-Tir-AmardadAL 1378 AY (Kadmi) “Apru” Karachi KATRAK BANDSTAND, CLIFTON PHOTO BY KHUDABUX ABRO Also Inside: 2008 FEZANA AGM in Westminster, CA NextGenNow 2008 Conference 10th Anniversary Celebrations in Houston A Tribute to Gen. Sam Manekshaw PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF ZOROASTRIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF ZOROASTRIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA Vol 22 No 3 Fall/Septembar 2008, PAIZ 1377 AY 3746 ZRE President Bomi V Patel www.fezana.org Editor in Chief: Dolly Dastoor 2 Editorial [email protected] Technical Assistan: Coomi Gazdar Dolly Dastoor Consultant Editor: Lylah M. Alphonse, 3 Message from the President [email protected] 5 FEZANA Update Graphic & Layout: Shahrokh Khanizadeh, www.khanizadeh.info 6 Financial Report Cover design: Feroza Fitch, [email protected] 35 APRU KARACHI 50 Publications Chair: Behram Pastakia Columnists: Hoshang Shroff:: [email protected] Shazneen Rabadi Gandhi : 56 Renovations of Community Places of [email protected] Fereshteh Khatibi:: [email protected] Worship-Andheri Patel Agiary Behram Panthaki::[email protected] Behram Pastakia: [email protected] 78 In The News Mahrukh Motafram: [email protected] Nikan Khatibi: [email protected] 92 Interfaith /Interalia Copy editors: R Mehta, V Canteenwalla 99 North American Mobeds’ Council Subscription Managers: Kershaw Khumbatta : 106 Youthfully Speaking [email protected] Arnavaz Sethna: [email protected] 110 Farsi Section WINTER 2008 112 Personal Profile TRAVEL BETWEEN THE POLES 114 Sunday Story from the Guest Editors Dinyar Patel and Jehangir Mehta Shahnameh SPRING 2009 116 Milestones UN DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS -60th ANNIVERSARY Guest Editor : Niaz Kasravi Photo on cover: 124 Between the Covers 136s Business s Mah Meher-Avan-Adar 1377 (F) Mah Ardebehest-Khordad-Tir 1378 AY (Sh) Mah Khordad-Tir-Amardad 1378 AY (K) Cover design Feroza Fitchof Opinions expressed in the FEZANA Journal do not necessarily reflect the Lexicongraphics views of FEZANA or members of this publication's editorial board. Photo Khodabux Published at Regal Press, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Abro FEZANA Journal Vo 22 No 32 ISBN 1068-2376 (USPS 021-495) published quarterly by FEZANA 5750 S. Jackson St Hinsdale Il 60521-5109. Periodical postage rate is paid at Oakbrook, IL 60523 and at additional mailing offices. Annual subscription $25 (US) ; $25 (Canada); $30 (surface) and $50 (air) for other countries; details on subscription Form. POSTMASTER: send changes to Fezana Journal, 8787 W. Airport Blvd. Houston, TX 77071 1 FEZANA JOURNAL – Fall 2008 A word from the Editor Dolly Dastoor August 31st was a banner day for FEZANA. On Dastoor from 1994 -1998 this day FEZANA achieved maturity and established its gave the Federation the first roots firmly in the soil of the city and the state where it 10 year Strategic Plan laying was born and nurtured, Chicago, Illinois . The first the foundation for planned office of the Federation was inaugurated, in less than directional growth, and 25 years of the establishment of FEZANA . brought the World Congress to the North American shores, Patel Framroze In contrast the Bombay Parsi Punchayat which presided over the Federation from 1998-2002 during was established in 1681 had a long and checkered the turbulent times of the 7th World Zoroastrian history of finding a permanent office. Though there are Congress in Houston, and appointed the “World Body no written records, Mehli Colah, CEO, BPP mentions Working Group”. Mehta, 2002-2006 saw the demise of that “in 1700's Trustees used to meet on the lands the open-minded IZO/ WZOI/ WZOF world body and where our present Doongerwadi is situated. It is also the creation and consolidation of Multitude of Funds to said that BPP office was in Wadiaji Atash Behram. But help Zarathushtis for education, religious preservation I could find no written records of the same in any of my and research, medical emergencies, and general archives”. In 1733 the office was situated in the welfare. Establishing the office at 8615 Meadowbrook Maneckji Seth Agiary located in the Fort but was forced Drive is the step President Kevala, 2006-2008, helped to move out because of dispute between the us to take in strengthening our North American identity. Punchayat and the Seth family, ("Bombay Place And we thank him for this vision and perseverance to Names and Street Names" by Samuel T. Sheppard make that vision a reality. Patel Bomi 2008- will now 1917 on p.119) It was only in 1849, nearly 200 years lead us to spread our roots further and deeper. after its establishment that the Punchayat found its home at the present premises at 209., Dr. D N Road, However we must not lose sight that this Federation has been built on the hard work and sweat The history of FEZANA and the history of the of many many volunteers who believed in a dream of Zarathushtis in Chicago has been interlinked. Chicago building a Zarathushti community without borders has been a bedrock for FEZANA and all around N across this continent. And we must continue to harness America we think of Chicago, as being a parent city that volunteer human spirit resource to continue that produces visionary institutions which helps us building our community. A “brick and mortar office” is a grow and progress, institutions like FEZANA, World defining point in our collective history on this continent Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce,(WZCC) the but it is not a substitute for that resource. It will Zarathushti presence and participation in the World however enhance and strengthen that priceless Parliament of Religions, the first Dare Mehr built from resource. We must not let the office define the ground up through sweat and toil of the community. direction for the volunteers but the volunteers must Chicago, is the home of the father of ALL visionaries define the office. Rohinton Rivetna, ably supported by Roshan Rivetna his wife, his daughter Zenobia and sons Jamshed and Cyrus together with their families. And as Adurbad I My hope and prayer is that from this single room Maraspandan said in the 4th Century CE “for as long FEZANA office will grow branches in each of our as a man’s father and mother live, he is like a lion in member associations to support them and help them the jungle that has no fear of anyone at all”. And we are grow. Atha jamyat yatha afrinami roaring in the jungle and achieving heights and providing a role model to other Zarathushti communities in the diaspora because of you Chicago. On August 31st we also gave tribute to each FEZANA president who has taken the Federation a step higher on the ladder to establish the identity of the North American Zarathushti. Rivetna sowed the seed and nurtured the Federation from 1987 to 1994, 2 FEZANA JOURNAL — Fall 2008 A Message from FEZANA President I am truly honored by the trust you have placed in To maintain me by electing me as the sixth President of FEZANA. I contact and a appreciate the support and the overwhelming good harmonious wishes that I have received from you and from the world relationship with all Zarathushti leaders. Your support and good wishes communities, an enhance my strength to serve as the President and I will adhoc committee for do my best to live up to your expectations. External Affairs has As president of FEZANA from 2005 to 2007, Dr. been formed. This Rustom Kevala has rendered selfless service to the committee will work with the FEZANA Executive and FEZANA cause and I take this opportunity to thank him other global Zarathushti organizations to spread greater for his leadership and guidance. awareness about our North American community by participating and contributing towards community I congratulate the President and members of building issues. ZOROASTRIAN ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN (ZAOM) for joining FEZANA and becoming the 27th FEZANA has been working with NAMC and WZCC Member Association. since their inception. I look forward to continue working closely with WZO, ZTFE, FPZAI NAMC, WZCC and As this is my first message as President, I would like other federations. to briefly present to you my vision/mission as to what I would like FEZANA to be doing in the next few years, I I strongly believe that our youth hold the key to our will mention the three most important targets that we future. Knowing this, it is imperative that we take action shall be aiming at: to make sure that our youth are ready when the opportunity arises. How we treat, guide and embrace our • Build a Unified North American Zarathushti youth in the present time, will determine how they lead Community us into the future. It is time to involve the younger • Empower the Youth – “Our Youth is our Future” generation with FEZANA activities and induct them into • Revisit the Strategic Plan – Goals and Achievements the Executive and other committees. I urge the chairs of all committees to encourage our youth to co-chair with To build a unified community, it is necessary for them, so that they can be mentored and become the member associations to voice their opinions, thoughts or successful leaders of tomorrow. concerns to FEZANA Executive so that we can work collectively on mutually supportive objectives .Your I have been successful in appointing Ava Afshari, President and the Executive will always listen, Carl Irani, Ferzeen Chhapgar, and Dr. Susan Kaboly- understand, accommodate and address the needs and Zadeh, four excellent youth co-chairs from USA and issues of every member. Canada. I am sure they will spare no effort to lead our youth to unity and progress and into a new dimension.