Zoroastrians.net

Passport – A Persian Innovation

zoroastriansnet — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:43:30 +0000

Passport – A Persian Innovation


Reportedly, one of the earliest references to passports is found in the Biblical book of Nehemiah, circa 450 BC. Nehemiah, an official serving King Artaxerxes I of Persia, asked leave to travel to Judea. The king gave a letter addressed ‘to the governors beyond the river’, requesting a safe passage. The Persian Kings of the Achaemenid dynasty were great visionaries and pioneers. Historians refer to Kurush II, more popularly known as Cyrus the Great, as “the most outstanding person of the ancient world” and architect of the first “World Empire”. His empire was so vast that it took two years to travel from one end of his kingdom to the other, on horseback. What an amazing administrative set-up it must have been, in an age without telephone, e-mail and fax machines. Law and order was so strictly observed that it gave rise to the phrase, “The laws of the Medes and the Persians” (Daniel VI, 8), or laws that were immutable. In an age seeped in cruelty, slavery and the law of “might is right”, Cyrus gave humanity the first charter of human rights, declaring, among others rights and freedom, man’s right to freedom of religion, opinion, expression and free movement. Later, the empire of Darius the Great stretched from the river Danube (Europe) in the west, right up to Sind and the present-day Frontier Province and part of the Punjab and from Central Asia right up to the north-eastern parts of Africa. For administrative purposes, the empire was divided into various satrapies, or a provincial government, who’s Satraps or governors were appointed by the King himself and were directly responsible to him for civil administration, justice, finance, law and order. Darius built roads, bridges and waterways to reach far-flung parts of his empire. The royal highway from Susa to Sardis was about 1700 miles along with 107 post-houses and fine caravansaries. Darius is credited with pioneering the world’s first postal service. He is also credited to have built the prototype of the Suez Canal connecting the Red Sea with the Mediterranean. Noshir H. Dadrawala Courtesy : Rusi Sorabji

Piroja Fali Forbes Award

zoroastriansnet — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 04:07:12 +0000

PIROJA FALl FORBES AWARD

(Donated by her daughter Sherie Adi Ashburner) AND

BOMBAY PARSI PUNCHAYET AWARD

Applications are invited for the above two Awards from Parsi Boys and Girls who have achieved highest marks in the I.C.S.E / S.S.C / C.B.S.E. Examinations held in March 2008 from a recognized School in Proper Mumbai and Suburbs.

Both the Awards consist of Rs.5,000 in Cash and an engraved Silver Plate.

Applications giving details of academic and extra curricular activities alongwith xerox copy of the marksheet and certificates, .should be forwarded to the Sr. Executive (Welfare), ,Parsi Punchayet Office, 209, Dr. D. N. Road, Fort, Mumbai. 400 001.

The last date for submission of the application is 8th August 2008.

Assistance for joining Coaching Classes

zoroastriansnet — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 04:03:39 +0000

ASSISTANCE FOR JOINING COACHING CLASSES

Bombay Parsi Punchayet invites applications from Parsi. students who have appeared for the S.S.C./ I.C.S,E. Examination held in March 2008 from a recognized School in proper Mumbai and Suburbs and have secured 65% marks and above each in Mathematics and Science subjects for being partly assisted on Merits mainly by way of classes fees for training at Private Coaching Classes. Object is to help them secure sufficiently high marks in the abovementioned subjects in Std. XII - Science Examination to gain entry into Medical and Engineering Degree Colleges.

Application Forms can be had from Mr. Burjor R. Wadewala, Dy. Executive-Education, Parsi Punchayet Office, 209, Dr. D. N. Road, Fort, Mumbai 400 001. Last date for receiving application forms duly completed is 8^th August 2008

Scholarship Links

zoroastriansnet — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:04:07 +0000

Enclosed are a few links for Scholarships for Parsis, Zarathushtis, Iranis and others too. Some may have common list of Funds - please excuse

Scholarship Schemes for minorities (including Zoroastrians) announced in 2007

Edwise List of Scholarships

Trusts and Funds giving Scholarships - Karmayog

Megway Career Consultants - Scholarship List

Career XL Scholarships

Study Abroad Scholarship List

If you know of any more, please add them as comments …….

Wish you all the best !

Byramji Nowroji Javeri Dare-Meher

zoroastriansnet — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:14:03 +0000

Byramji Nowroji Javeri Dare-Meher
(Parsi Fire Temple)

63/5, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kanpur - 208004

Contact Nos. of Mr. Adil Byramji
Telephone Nos. 2305302, 2369939, 2369876
Fax No. 0512 – 2305041
Email : kabyramji@yahoo.com

Address for Communication :
C/o M/s. Byramjee Framjee & Co.,
63/3, Mahatma Gandhi Road,
KANPUR – 208004.

APPEAL

The Byramji Nowroji Javeri Dar-e-Meher is an Agiary (Parsi Fire Temple) situated in Kanpur, in the State of Uttar Pradesh. It was established in the year 1930. Currently, it is the only regularly functioning Agiary in the entire State of Uttar Pradesh. Parsis from the adjoining districts such as Lucknow, Jhansi, Varanasi, Ghazipur, etc. also visit the Agiary on important days such as the Atash-no-Parab, and especially during the Muktad days.
Our Dasturji’s quarters are attached to the Agiary, and there are also some blocks for not so well-to-do Parsis in the Agiary Compound. The main Agiary Building and the other residential blocks (including the Dasturji’s quarters) need major repairs and painting. Unfortunately, the Agiary does not have adequate funds from which to meet its regular expenses, let alone spending money on repairs.
Our Agiary is looked after by only one priest. He gets a salary of only Rs. 3,900, along with a free residence with free water and electricity, and medical expenses. We are very fortunate that our Panthaky has been very loyal to our Agiary, and he has continued to work for this Agiary at such a low salary. Besides this, a magnanimous donor in Mumbai helps us by sending our Panthaky Rs. 1,000/- per month. Even then, compared to salaries at Mumbai, Calcutta, Madras, Pune and other places, this total of Rs. 4,900/- is still very low.
Our Panthaky is unmarried, and there are no other members of his family in Kanpur. He is now about 73 years old. We do not know what will happen to our Agiary in case anything happens to our priest. Priests are reluctant to come to a state like Uttar Pradesh, and even if someone were to agree, he would insist on a high salary: certainly not less than Rs. 9,000 or Rs. 10,000 per month minimum, along with many other facilities. As we have mentioned, our Funds are so meagre that we will simply not be able to afford such a salary. There are no other trained Mobeds or even members of the priestly class in Kanpur itself. Unless our Corpus increases, we will not be in a position to employ another Mobed on such a high salary.
We are, therefore, making this earnest appeal to all the Parsi Community to help us in keeping the Sacred Fire alive by donating generously to our Agiary’s Corpus. The Parsi Community is well-known for its philanthropy, and we pray to the Almighty Ahura Mazda to kindle the fire of charity within the hearts of the Parsis to help us.
Should you require any further details or copies of the accounts, we shall gladly provide the same. We are really worried that for lack of funds, we may be compelled to close down our Agiary in the not too distant future. This has to be prevented under all circumstances, hence this appeal to you.. The entire Parsi community in Uttar Pradesh would feel indebted to you for your generosity.
Cheques may please be made out in the name of “B. N. Javeri Dare-Meher, Kanpur”, and sent to Mr. Adil Byramji, Secretary, B. N. Javeri Dare-Meher (Parsi Fire Temple), 63/3, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kanpur 208004.
All these donations will be taken and credited to our Corpus, so that this Agiary can become self-sufficient in future as well. All the Trustees of the Agiary convey their gratitude to you for the anticipated favour.

For B. N. JAVERI DARE-MEHER

( Adil Byramji )
Secretary

WZCC Awards

zoroastriansnet — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:03:42 +0000

Every year, the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) honors individuals by awarding Recognition Awards in 3 categories -

1. Outstanding Zarathushti Entrepreneur,

2. Outstanding Zarathushti Professional,

3. Outstanding Young Zarathushti Professional / Entrepreneur (Upto 35 years).

The criteria for nominations for the year 2008 are available here. The last date for nominations is 31 July 2008. Please send in your nominations (the nominees need not be members of WZCC) and encourage your friends and relatives to do likewise before the due date.

We encourage members of our community to use this platform to nominate their peers, young and old and make us all proud of their achievements.

The three winners will be recognised at the WZCC Annual Ball in Houston, USA in December.

Our website www.wzcc.net carries full information and easy guidelines on the nomination process.

We have only a month to go, so don’t hold back.

Open Merit Scholarships

zoroastriansnet — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:27:13 +0000

THE NOWROZE BAUG PLAY CENTRE

LATE KHODY P. KOLAH· ALL PARSI OPEN MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PRIZES For S.S.C / I.C.S.E. / C.B.S.E. FOR MARCH 2008

Also for Members of the Play Centre Merit Scholarship Prizes from STD I to Graduation & Post Graduation Students for March 2008.

(1) Parsi Students of Mumbai, Maharashtra & Gujarat States, who have secured 87% and above percentage of marks in S.S.C. / I.C.S.E. / C.B.S.E. Examinations of March 2008 are eligible to receive Cash Prizes of Rs. 1,000/- each and a Merit Certificate. Over and above this, a Student securing highest percentage of marks in each section will be awarded Pure Silver Medal in memory of Late Khody P. Kolah (Founder of the Play Centre).

(2) Late Shirinbai & Ratansha Sahuraja Merit Scholarship Prize for B.Com.

A Parsi Student who has secured highest percentage of marks among all Parsi Students, in B.Com (Final) Exam of March 2008 from Mumbai University, will be awarded Cash Prize of Rs.1000/-, A Merit Certificate and A Pure Silver Medal in memory of Late Shirinbai & Ratansha Sahuraja.

(3) ONLY FOR MEMBERS OF THE PLAY CENTRE- School & College Students

Merit Scholarship Prize - Cash & Silver Medals for March 2008.

ELIGIBILTY:

(a) Std I to Std IV 80% & above (b) Std V to Std VII 70% & above

(d) College All Faculties all classes 60% & above

(e) Graduate I Post Graduate 60% & above

Silver Medals in memory of Late Silloo Phiroze Daruwalla, Late Godrej B. Bhagat and Late Shapoorji Dastoor

All eligible students are required to submit a Certified True Copy of Mark Sheets for Sr. Nos. 1 & 2 and a covering letter alongwith a passport size photo mandatory. For Sr. No 3 (Members) A Certified True Copy of Mark Sheet only. Kindly submit at:

Jt. Secretary, The Nowroze Baug Play Centre, Clo P/2 Nowroze Baug, Dr.S.SRao Road Lalbaug, Mumbai-400012. Contact No: 24714244 (Nariman E. Mehta) OR 9833922906 (Mrs. Yasmin R. Engineer - Jt. Secretary).

Last Date of Submission: 6th August 2008.

Prizes will be awarded at the 63 Birthday Celebration of the Play Centre in November 2008. Exact date, time & venue will be intimated by courier to eligible students. All prize winners will collect their prizes personally at the Function.

Next Gen Now !

zoroastriansnet — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 06:37:52 +0000

The NextGenNow Mission

The mission of NextGenNow is to shape and capture the imagination and working spirit of a new generation of Zarathushti leaders by delivering creative programming, thought-provoking discussion and action-oriented initiatives. By stimulating multi-generational dialogue, leading by example, and empowering future generations, NextGenNow is helping to mobilize a new generation of Zarathushtis to work cohesively, affect meaningful change and enrich the legacy and contribution of Zarathushtis in North America.

The NextGenNow Platform

I. Education & Awareness

II. Harmony Through Diversity

III. Community Building

Lead, Inspire, Deliver

_______________________________________________

NextGenNow 2008

Your Future in Your Hands

Aug. 1 - 3, 2008

George Mason University, Washington DC

Have you registered for NextGenNow?

Introducing the NextGenNow Fast 50!

With our July 10 registration deadline less than two weeks away, there is no time to waste. We will enter the first 50 registrations we receive into a drawing for a chance to win one of three incredible gift cards (valued at $100, $50 and $25) from leading North American retailers, including: Amazon.com, Best Buy and iTunes! Don’t delay, register today!

Download a registration form by visiting www.nextgennow.org.

Questions? Contact any one of us below:

Mantreh Atashband (m_atashband@yahoo.ca), Jim Engineer (jim.engineer@e-rainmaker.com),

Armaity Homavazir (spendarmad@yahoo.ca), Nikan Khatibi (nikan2@aol.com) or

Farah Minwalla (farahminwalla@hotmail.com)

NextGenNow, is the fastest growing movement for the empowerment and cultivation

of next generation Zarathushti leadership. If you are a Zarathushti in North America,

18-40 years of age, a leader or seeking mentorship, and believe in the fundamental

principles of inclusion and tolerance over division and exclusion,

you will find NextGenNow uniquely suited to your future.

THE ABOVE CONFERENCE IS OPEN FOR ALL GLOBAL ZARATHUSHTIS

Mrs Kanga: musician with a message

zoroastriansnet — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:33:10 +0000

Mrs K. Kanga, one of the few well-known pianists in Karachi, when interviewed by The News said she feels the ratio of youngsters attending musical performances, when compared to the adult audience, has decreased over the years because of their lack of interest in music. The schools are responsible for discouraging this trend, she complains. The increasing pressure of studies at home and at school makes it difficult for students to spend time on extra-curricular activities that are equally important for a child’s development….. More

Yazdani Bakery

zoroastriansnet — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:16:45 +0000

One of the oldest bakeries of Mumbai that serves breads and pavs in an unpretentious setting…. Click Here