FEZANA JOURNAL FEZANA PAIZ 1382 AY 3751 Z VOL. 27, NO. 3 OCTOBER/FALL 2013 ● OCTOBER/FALL 2013 OCTOBER/FALL JOURMehr – Avan – Adar 1382 AY (Fasli) ● Ardebehesht – Khordad – Tir 1383 AY (Shenhai)N ● Khordad – Tir AL– Amordad 1383 AY (Kadimi) The Zarathushti World — 2012 Demographic Picture: The Numbers Game Also Inside: Cyrus Cylinder Celebrated in Chicago Tanya Bharda’s Journey in India ZAKOI Camp Kids’ “Lookie” Stand Presentation of FEZANA Strategic Plan PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF ZOROASTRIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA Copyright ©2013 Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America FEZANA JOURNAL PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF ZOROASTRIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA Vol 27 No 3 Fall / September 2013 Fall, Paiz 1382 AY 3751 Z 7 94 102 107 2 EDITORIALS 81 Addressing Demographic, 97 10th WORLD ZOROASTRIAN Dolly Dastoor Concerns in North America CONGRESS 2013 Katayun Kapadia 85 Gleanings from Survey 98 EVERLASTING FLAME-- of, intermarried and intra- Exhibition in London Behram Pastakia marriedZarathushtis in North 99 YOUTH WITHOUT BORDERS Roshan Rivetna (Guest Editor) America 107 PERSONAL PROFILES 6 FEZANA UPDATES 87 Stance of NAMC on Mixed 109 MILESTONES 7 Second 10 year Strategic Plan marriages marriages and Navjotes 113 MATRIMONIALS 26 THE ZARATHUSHTI WORLD, in NA 115 OBITUARY 2012 Demographic picture 91 IN THE NEWS 119 BETWEEN THE COVERS 123 LETTER TO THE EDITOR Photo on cover: Editor in Chief: Dolly Dastoor, [email protected] Technical Assistant: Coomi Gazdar Consultant Editor: Lylah M. Alphonse, [email protected] Language Editor: Douglas Lang Graphic & Layout: Shahrokh Khanizadeh, www.khanizadeh.info Cover design: Feroza Fitch, [email protected] Publications Chair: Behram Pastakia [email protected] Columnists: Shazneen Rabadi Gandhi: [email protected]; Teenaz Javat: [email protected]; Behram Pastakia:bpastakia@aol. Cover design com; Mahrukh Motafram: [email protected] Feroza Fitch of Lexicongraphics Copy editors: Vahishta Canteenwalla, Yasmin Pavri Subscription Managers: Arnavaz Sethna: [email protected]; Winter 2013 Kershaw Khumbatta: [email protected] The Next Generation‘s Vision for FEZANA Fall Paiz 1382 AY 3751 Z Guest Editors Mehr- Avan – Adar 1382 AY (Fasli) Jamshed Rivetna & Behrose Taraporewalla Ardebehesht – Khordad – Tir 1383 AY (Shenhai) Khordad - Tir – Amordad 1383 AY (Kadimi) Opinions expressed in the FEZANA Journal do not necessarily reflect the views of FEZANA or members of this publication's editorial board. Published at Regal Press, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada www.fezana.org FEZANA Journal Vol 27, No 3 ISBN 1068-2376 (USPS 021-495) published quarterly by FEZANA 8615 Meadowbrook Dr., Burr Ridge, IL 60527. Periodical postage rate is paid at Oakbrook, IL 60523 and at additional mailing offices. Annual subscription $25 (US) ; $25 (Canada) and $50 (air) for other countries; details on subscription Form. POSTMASTER: send changes to Fezana Journal, 8615 Meadowbrook Drive, Burr Ridge, IL 60527. 1 FEZANA Journal - Fall 2013 A word from the Editor F all is a beautiful season with brilliant colours and of this scheme –the short crisp days, with an edge in the temperature first such plan for any reminding us of a change in the life cycle, with plants community in India. and animals beginning to hibernate, preparing for No one has shown the long winter. The cover story of this issue The interest, in a scheme Zarathushti World 2012 demographic picture where the Government reminds one of the Fall season , when things slow of India has set aside down imperceptibly in the beginning, till it is suddenly Rs 2 crore for the first winter and everything has gone to sleep. Was the year. What does this timing of this issue intentional? Is the Z community mean? Is our death slowly going into a deep slumber not wanting to face wish so very strong reality? that we do not care what is happening to Roshan Rivetna, our guest editor for this issue has us!!!, However the Government of India cares and is revisited the demographics of the community, and determined to help the community by setting up health has very painstakingly gathered and compiled data as camps in Parsi concentrated areas, and consultation accurately as possible from associations, individuals, with community leaders. Low birth rate, or no births, census (where available) of Zarathushtis around the together with increased longevity is one of the reasons world. She has spread the net wide to capture as many for the decrease in population pockets as possible in India, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, Europe, Central Asia, Far East, Sey- With the growth in the dispora, does the burden of the chelles, Gulf region, North America, South America, future of the community and the religion lie with the Australia and New Zealand. The picture does not look diaspora only? And is the diaspora capable of carry- good. ing this burden? How will and can we keep the next generation and the generation after that interested and Since the last demographic survey done in 2004 there connected with the community and the religion? How has been a growth in the diaspora: 24% in North Amer- will we combat the forces of assimilation? Will we show ica, 10% in UK, 40% in New Zealand and 130% in Sin- leadership and forward thinking out of the box or will gapore. All of these increases add up to approximately we be stuck in the same groove of inflated egos always 5000 people. In the same time period, India, Iran and wanting to prove ourselves right. Read about the Pakistan together have lost 18,000 individuals. This views of the next generation on this subject (page 81). has led Mobed Firozgary of Iran to call it a “calamity”. It Whether we sink or sail, the choice rests with each also has the Government of India worried because the present day individual Zarathushti. Organizations like 2001 census indicated that the death rate among the FEZANA can only facilitate and provide impetus but in Parsis was three times the birth rate. “The community the final analysis the decision is yours and mine. May was staring at extinction and urgently needed to take the fruits of Vohu Mano prevail. an interest in the fertility scheme, being implemented through the Union Health Ministry”. Under the scheme, Dolly Dastoor the government pays for the treatment for childless married couples if both husband and wife are Parsis. But not a single Parsi couple has come forward to avail 2 FEZANA JOURNAL — Fall 2013 A Message from FEZANA President Dear Zarathushtis organizations and programs to provide value added services On behalf of the FEZANA Executive, I would like to wish resulting in the achievement of each one of you, your families, your associations across community service objectives. North America and globally a very Happy Shahenshahi 8. Corresponding Members – Navroze Mubarak. May this year bring joy and peace to Reach out and involve these small communities in FEZANA activities us all and may we all continue to work collectively and harmoniously worldwide to ensure a happier, healthier, 9. Congresses & Sports Events – Member Associations unified and knowledgeable global Zarathushti community together with FEZANA need to develop a strategy to subsidize the participation of youth in North American & in the New Year. World Congresses and Sports Events. The FEZANA 2013 Annual General Meeting (AGM) was 10. Communication Strategy - To build, enhance and held in Dallas, Texas from May 3-5, 2013. I would like to promote a unified NA Zarathushti Community requires share with you highlights from my President’s Report . a direct, clear, systematic, well-planned and organized communication strategy. We need to work together and Each day brings new opportunities so let us look for creative share our achievements, upcoming events, community ideas and affirmative solutions and continue to support the service projects, welfare & critical assistance appeals and other information using the FEZANA Journal (quarterly), following initiatives as we look ahead: FEZANA Bulletin (monthly), the fezanayahoogroups 1. Second Ten Year Strategic Plan (SP) – Looking emails and the FEZANA website. ahead, the Executive with the help of the SP team, Committee Chairs and interested individuals from member associations will help implement and monitor This issue of the Journal focuses on Zarathushti the progress of the plan. For details, see page 7. Demographics. Roshan Rivetna, the Guest Editor has presented a compilation of data and commentaries gathered 2. Infra Structure Development in NA – Let us continue from different countries. 200,000 Zarathushtis among a to identify and prioritize the Infra Structure needs of 7 billion global population! Even though the population North America and work together to make it a reality. trend in North America appears encouraging we have to address other issues that we face: assimilation, dispersed 3. Youth Involvement & Development – Work together population, inter-marriages, disinterest, apathy . with youth committees and organizations like ZYNA, ZYWIB, Zoroastrian Sports Committee, Zoroastrians A cross-section of the Community in NA was asked the Stepping Forward, and NextGenNow to foster community involvement and work together on youth questions: What can we do? How can we inspire our next related NA and global activities. generation, and those on the fringes, to stay within the fold? (For details of responses see page 81) The responses were 4. Religious Education Class Curriculum – Contribute grouped under & support this initiative