CHANGE @ ZARM:
Rumi Engineer has been elected as the president of Zoroastrian Association of Rocky Mountain (ZARM). Rumi was the founder and past president of ZARM. He is an Immigration attorney by profession and practices law in Colorado. His team consists of Nosh Tarachand (Vice President), Phiroza Shroff (Secretary), and, Farida Contractor (Member at Large). On various occasions I have sought Rumi advice, which he always provided willingly. Currently, Rumi is advising FEZANA’s Constitution Revision Committee. Rumi, Nosh, Phiroza and Farida may you serve the community with best of your abilities
Rumi Engineer: Lindenwood Drive, Littleton, CO 80120. 303-347-2356
Email: rengineer@qwest.net
Nosh Tarachand, 824 South Kearney, Denver, CO. 303-343-1173
AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
As you are well aware, the WZC2000 was a joint venture between the Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH) and FEZANA. One of the stipulations governing this partnership was that any surplus from this event would be shared equally between the ZAH and FEZANA. During the last meeting of the WZC2000, held in February 2001, the treasurer, Sarosh Collector, submitted the preliminary accounts. FEZANA’s share, $60,000, was received by FEZANA during July 2001.
FEZANA administrators, on behalf of the Zarathushti community, greatly appreciate not only the financial contribution, but also the super-human effort put forward by the Zarathushtis of Houston and the WZC2000 leadership. The financial success of the WZC2000 was partly due to the fact that all members of the WZC2000 Committee, all Committee Chairs and scores of volunteers gladly bore many expenses themselves.
Expenditures such as air travel, telephone, duplication cost, rental of office space and capital expenses incurred by volunteers were NOT accounted for as expenditures of the WZC2000. Briefly, the financial success of the WZC2000 was primarily due to the sweat equity and financial contributions of scores of righteous Zarathushtis, and for that we are grateful to each and every one of you.
ERVAD DARAYUS BAJAN:
Ervad Darayus Bajan, an illustrious Sahebjadeh of Ervad Parvez Bajan of Mevawalla Fire Temple of Mumbai, graduated with the distinction of Master’s examination in Avesta-Pahlavi from Mumbai Bombay University. He is the product of Dadar Athornan Boarding Madressa. He has performed six Nirangdin ceremonies and participated in consecration ceremonies of various Fire Temples in Mumbai.
Ervad is an accountant by vocation. He has successfully passed the professional examinations of the Indian Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Indian Institute of Cost Accountants and the Institute of Secretary. I don’t know anyone who has passed all three professional exams in the field of accounting.
Ervad, may you live to be one hundred years old and may the community benefit from your knowledge and wisdom.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF NOSHIR LANGRANA & FARROKH MISTREE:
The following article appeared in “The Daily Targum”, an official organ of Rutgers University. The article bore the title, “Alumnus gives distinguished teaching chair to professor.”
Noshir is a product of Zarathushti charities. He was educated at the Byramji Jeejibhai High School in Mumbai. Having spent two years at K. C. College, he graduated from Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute with a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Mechanical Engineering, also from Mumbai. His higher education was completed at Cornell University, an Ivy League Institution in the USA. He earned his MS and PhD from Cornell. He has been with Rutgers University for the last twenty-five years. He is particularly proud and grateful that the Zarathushti Community financed his education.
Dr. Farrokh Mistree, a professor at Georgia Tech’s George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, has received the Jack M Zeigler Outstanding Educator Award.
Farrokh’s nomination for this prestigious award was supported heartily by his students and peers. One of his students wrote: “For Farrokh’s student, a day in class is an adventure in learning.” Gary Koopmann, a distinguished professor at Penn State wrote: “Few people are gifted with the ability to project their innovative visions beyond the constrain of conventional thinking. Farrokh is such a person.”
Farookh, who has a PhD in Engineering from the University of Berkeley, has been a professor at Georgia Tech since 1992. From 1981-92 he was a professor at the University of Houston. (Source: FEZANA Journal Fall 2001 Issue Page 77)
Congratulations to both Noshir and Farrokh.
LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE 09/11 INCIDENT – ERVAD MEHERNOSH M. BHADHA:
I had asked Ervad Mehernosh M Bhadha, who had the distinction to be ordained as the first Zarathushti priest in the last forty-five years in Karachi, Pakistan, to express his thoughts on the 911 incident. Ervad Bhadha is a twelve year-old student who mesmerized the audience with his well spoken and delivered words, along with Ervad Shapur Pavri, at the closing ceremony of the WZC2000 Congress. Noted below are his thoughts:
As we all saw, a tragedy of such great magnitude did surely shatter the lives of so many people, but, at the same time we also witnessed that how one and all, be it young or old, black or white, this region or that region, all of whom rose to the occasion to help humanity in whatever way they possibly could.
As regards to why these men chose to sacrifice their precious lives and caused so much chaos, pain and agony to people the world over, one can only conclude that probably they felt injustice was being done in dealing with the issues, felt isolated and deprived, saw no ray of hope, in a fit of desperation planned and executed the September 11 events.
So the first definite lesson that we have learnt from the September 11 events is that “be impartial, do not do injustice, and help solve problems of those who look upon you for your support and justice”.
Following the tragedy, many countries of the world, have gotten together on one platform and formed an alliance, pledging to wipe out terrorists, their organization, and take care of countries protecting and assisting these desperate people of all castes, color and creed. This may bring some temporary relief to begin with, but I am convinced when I heard President Pervez Musharaf spoke on television and declaring that military action is not the only solution. To prove his point he said:
Therefore, second lesson we ought to learn from events that follow those of September the 11th is that all the countries locked in disputes and all the people who matter need to brush aside their differences, get together and find a lasting solution to all existing problems. Should these continue to remain neglected and unsolved – the ghost of September 11 will keep haunting us for time to come. May Ahura Mazda help and protect us all.
CONGRESS 2002 – CHICAGO, JULY 4-7:
We urge all FEZANA member associations and small groups to publicize the forthcoming 12th North American Zoroastrian Congress scheduled to be held in Chicago July 4-7, 2002.
You are requested to include the Congress 2002 newsletter LOOP LINES in your association Newsletter and e-mail it to your congregation.
The Congress theme “Advancing Communities, Empowering Generations” will be echoed throughout the Congress events, both during the sessions and evening entertainment programs planned by all generations of Zarathushtis and for all generations of Zarathushtis. The theme is aimed at moving our communities forward in the new millennium by forming an understanding of the day-to-day challenges that confront us as North American Zarathushtis. The discussion will include:
- How do we explain who we are to non-Zarathushtis?
- How do we advance our community through interfaith dialogue?
- How do we ensure traditions and customs are successfully passed to future generations?
Relevant Information:
- Early Bird Registration by 12/31/2001: $250: Adults: $175 Full time Students and Seniors: 70-75
- Register On Line: Credit card only: www.zac-chicago.org
- Hotel: Hyatt Regency Hotel is located in the heart of Chicago
- Hotel Reservation: 800-223-1234 or 312-565-1234: mention “Zoroastrian Congress”. Call no later than May 31, 2002: last day for special discount rate.
- Rate $125 per night. Exclusive of hotel occupancy tax.
- Contact: 630-789-1983: e-mail: zac@zac-chicago.org
ZAMC HONORS THEIR FAVORITE SON:
Monday, September 3, 2001 was the 18th anniversary of inauguration of Chicago’s Arbab Rustom Guiv Dar-e-Mehr. After Jashan ceremony, The Rivetnas, Roshan and Rohinton, were invited to cut the ribbon and formally open the new wing. You guessed it right: the new wing was dedicated to ZAMC’s first couple for their singular, praiseworthy and extraordinary contribution to the Zarathushti community of Metropolitan Chicago for over thirty years. The plaque was presented to them, which read:
The audience gave spontaneous standing ovation to the Rivetnas. Hosi Mehta, President of ZAMC acknowledged and recognized their contribution for the expansion project. For your information, his son Cyrus and brother Dara were actively involved in the project. I had gone to Chicago especially for the event, and presented a shawl, as a mark of respect, on behalf of the Chicago community.”
Moral of the story: Community service never gets un-rewarded.
