Agiaries will go high-tech

Date

March 14, 2006

Post by

arZan

Category

Heritage | History | Issues | News

‘Parsi Resource Group’ (PRG) aims to strengthen pillars of Parsi community – its Agiaries, priests and youth..

Jimmy Mistry, an architect by profession and owner of Della Tecnica, has launched ‘Parsi Resource Group’ (PRG), a charitable organisation that seeks to intensify growth of the Parsi community, by aiming at three areas – agiaries (fire temples), Mobeds (priests) and Parsi youth.

Mistry renovated the Rustom Farana Agiary in Dadar, which won him, the Urban Heritage award in 2003. “From that year onwards, I have been involved in the activities of this Agiary. There are just about 100 Agiaires in the world. I figured if I can adopt an Agiary, there are many prominent Parsis in the world who can afford to do so too. So, over the past two years, I spoke to many people of my plan and finally I started the ‘Adopt the Agiary Programme’,” said Mistry.

In this ‘Adopt an Agiary Programme’, a survey of each of the Agiaries will be carried out. The number of priests, the number of prayers conducted, the number of Parsi people staying in the area and of those, the number of people coming to pray as well as the overall monthly expenditure involving salaries of the priests and renovation of the structure, will be noted in a report of each Agiary.

This report will be sent to an interested donor for analysis and to be studied. While the trustees will continue to manage the Agiary and its funds, the PRG will monitor and interface between the Agiary and the donor.

For the youth, the PRG will seek help from its high-profile members and contacts, to secure good job openings or higher education as the case of the youngsters may be. Lectures, seminars and youth conventions, based on education and career planning will also be held for the benefit of youth.



The PRG has also planned a Student Adoption Scheme, in which a donor can provide free education lodging, and boarding facilities to students in India and abroad. The PRG also aims at raising the standard and status of the priests, along with providing them medical insurance facilities. “Right now, the salaries of the full-time priests are just about Rs. 8000. This salary is not sufficient to support a family, so a lot of priests practise other professions and are hesitant to take up the vocation on a full-time basis,” said Mistry. The first phase of this project, will have a detailed survey conducted on the 300 practising priests. This survey will include information such as which Agiary the priests are attached to, their family status, educational background and so on. “From the survey, a select number of priests will be selected to be groomed to act as PROs of the faith. “We will educate them on different subjects, such as networking and socio-economics. We plan to provide each Agiary with a computer, and have created a software that translates English into Gujarati, so that the network between the priests and the Agiaries improves,” said Mistry. The above goals are planned to be completed by 2007. This organisation will function as an independent entity. “We are not on anybody’s side. The Bombay Parsi Panchayat, will continue to do its work. We will not be substituting the BPP, but will contribute our bit on the side,” said Mistry, clarifying his stand.   Original Article

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18 Comments

  1. Rathestar
    Rathestar on June 7, 2020 at 12:14 AM

    This write up is over four and a half year old. Community would like to know the progress report on the tall promises and items belonging to such manifestos in the course of this time period. If I mistake not, there was an election promise to keep the community informed of the progress of the items so dear to their heart at the relevant time
    . Seems the community has to conclude that that nothing tangible has been done and this Approach Paper is nothing but a scrap of paper to be forgotten

  2. Rathestar
    Rathestar on December 7, 2010 at 12:33 AM

    This write up is over four and a half year old. Community would like to know the progress report on the tall promises and items belonging to such manifestos in the course of this time period. If I mistake not, there was an election promise to keep the community informed of the progress of the items so dear to their heart at the relevant time
    . Seems the community has to conclude that that nothing tangible has been done and this Approach Paper is nothing but a scrap of paper to be forgotten

  3. Byram Sidhwa
    Byram Sidhwa on June 7, 2020 at 12:14 AM

    “We plan to provide each Agiary with a computer, and have created a software that translates English into Gujarati, so that the network between the priests and the Agiaries improves,” said Mistry. The above goals are planned to be completed by 2007.”
    TALL TALK & EMPTY TALK THATS ALL. I AM REGULAR AT VARIOUS FIRE TEMPLES IN SOUTH MUMBAI AND HAVE NOT COME ACCROSS ONE WITH A DESKTOP. NEEDLESS TO ADD WE ARE IN 2011 and the article talks of providing each Agiari a computer by 2007. For some, the clock and calendars have stopped moving.

  4. Byram Sidhwa
    Byram Sidhwa on January 9, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    “We plan to provide each Agiary with a computer, and have created a software that translates English into Gujarati, so that the network between the priests and the Agiaries improves,” said Mistry. The above goals are planned to be completed by 2007.”
    TALL TALK & EMPTY TALK THATS ALL. I AM REGULAR AT VARIOUS FIRE TEMPLES IN SOUTH MUMBAI AND HAVE NOT COME ACCROSS ONE WITH A DESKTOP. NEEDLESS TO ADD WE ARE IN 2011 and the article talks of providing each Agiari a computer by 2007. For some, the clock and calendars have stopped moving.

  5. piloo_2
    piloo_2 on June 7, 2020 at 12:14 AM

    The community was taken for a ride by such sweet talkers who offered inducements to literally purchase votes .
    I am certain that same modus operandi will be repeated in future by those seeking office of Trusteeship and voters will not think that in the recent past their assurances and promises were unfulfilled. The elecorate of the community will surpass even the poorest of poor in most backward state like U.P. while exercising their frenchise. In politics, it is Roti, Kapda.Makan, in our community it free dinners with liquor and for the clergy an additional bone of one year’s Mediclaim premium.

  6. piloo_2
    piloo_2 on January 12, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    The community was taken for a ride by such sweet talkers who offered inducements to literally purchase votes .
    I am certain that same modus operandi will be repeated in future by those seeking office of Trusteeship and voters will not think that in the recent past their assurances and promises were unfulfilled. The elecorate of the community will surpass even the poorest of poor in most backward state like U.P. while exercising their frenchise. In politics, it is Roti, Kapda.Makan, in our community it free dinners with liquor and for the clergy an additional bone of one year’s Mediclaim premium.

  7. BOMAN.
    BOMAN. on June 7, 2020 at 12:14 AM

    Moderator,
    Sir,
    The item appearing above has been categorised by you as falling under “Hertage, History, Issues, New” . Sir do you not think that it is time that this story is categorised as “Fiction,Cruel Humor, Tomfoolery and bullshit?
    Trust you will not be a spoli sport to delete this.

  8. BOMAN.
    BOMAN. on January 13, 2011 at 11:49 PM

    Moderator,
    Sir,
    The item appearing above has been categorised by you as falling under “Hertage, History, Issues, New” . Sir do you not think that it is time that this story is categorised as “Fiction,Cruel Humor, Tomfoolery and bullshit?
    Trust you will not be a spoli sport to delete this.

  9. Contradhongi.
    Contradhongi. on June 7, 2020 at 12:14 AM

    This piece of  fib appeared in March  2006. Exactly five years and three months back. Elections were held in end 2008. This Jimmy mMistry got elected then. What has been the progress in this direction of making Agiaries go hitech during his tenure of over 32 months. Can it be assumed that Jimmy neber realised that B.P.P. will have two mid term polls so that he would become answerable to the constituency? So we can surmise that his promise was equal to that of a politicians pledge or a political parties manifesto?

  10. Contradhongi.
    Contradhongi. on June 2, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    This piece of  fib appeared in March  2006. Exactly five years and three months back. Elections were held in end 2008. This Jimmy mMistry got elected then. What has been the progress in this direction of making Agiaries go hitech during his tenure of over 32 months. Can it be assumed that Jimmy neber realised that B.P.P. will have two mid term polls so that he would become answerable to the constituency? So we can surmise that his promise was equal to that of a politicians pledge or a political parties manifesto?

  11. Contradhongi.
    Contradhongi. on June 2, 2011 at 10:51 PM

    This piece of  fib appeared in March  2006. Exactly five years and three months back. Elections were held in end 2008. This Jimmy mMistry got elected then. What has been the progress in this direction of making Agiaries go hitech during his tenure of over 32 months. Can it be assumed that Jimmy neber realised that B.P.P. will have two mid term polls so that he would become answerable to the constituency? So we can surmise that his promise was equal to that of a politicians pledge or a political parties manifesto?

  12. RATHESTAR.
    RATHESTAR. on June 7, 2020 at 12:14 AM

    Dear Contradhongi,
    Similar  seet talk and lavish praises can be read in F.P.J. Shukarawaris Bulletin of to day. One can realise from the language of various éndorsements the level of desperation of WAPIZ in getting their another member elected. The ”Kaum’ is certainly going to ensure that a Administrator is appointed in very near future whichever candidate gets elected. Some public spirited Parsees need to obtain an injunction against this farcical election and insists on code of conduct and existing Trustees complying with 2008 promises of declaring their assets.
    The moot question is whether the community will demonstrate its intellect and foresight or allow itself to be taken for another ride despite the EXPERIENCE. Time will show the intellect of the so called educated  community whether they will think on basis of  misguided propaganda or positively for future generation to come.

  13. RATHESTAR.
    RATHESTAR. on June 3, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    Dear Contradhongi,
    Similar  seet talk and lavish praises can be read in F.P.J. Shukarawaris Bulletin of to day. One can realise from the language of various éndorsements the level of desperation of WAPIZ in getting their another member elected. The ”Kaum’ is certainly going to ensure that a Administrator is appointed in very near future whichever candidate gets elected. Some public spirited Parsees need to obtain an injunction against this farcical election and insists on code of conduct and existing Trustees complying with 2008 promises of declaring their assets.
    The moot question is whether the community will demonstrate its intellect and foresight or allow itself to be taken for another ride despite the EXPERIENCE. Time will show the intellect of the so called educated  community whether they will think on basis of  misguided propaganda or positively for future generation to come.

  14. RATHESTAR.
    RATHESTAR. on June 3, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    Dear Contradhongi,
    Similar  seet talk and lavish praises can be read in F.P.J. Shukarawaris Bulletin of to day. One can realise from the language of various éndorsements the level of desperation of WAPIZ in getting their another member elected. The ”Kaum’ is certainly going to ensure that a Administrator is appointed in very near future whichever candidate gets elected. Some public spirited Parsees need to obtain an injunction against this farcical election and insists on code of conduct and existing Trustees complying with 2008 promises of declaring their assets.
    The moot question is whether the community will demonstrate its intellect and foresight or allow itself to be taken for another ride despite the EXPERIENCE. Time will show the intellect of the so called educated  community whether they will think on basis of  misguided propaganda or positively for future generation to come.

  15. RATHESTAR.
    RATHESTAR. on June 3, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    Dear Contradhongi,
    Similar  seet talk and lavish praises can be read in F.P.J. Shukarawaris Bulletin of to day. One can realise from the language of various éndorsements the level of desperation of WAPIZ in getting their another member elected. The ”Kaum’ is certainly going to ensure that a Administrator is appointed in very near future whichever candidate gets elected. Some public spirited Parsees need to obtain an injunction against this farcical election and insists on code of conduct and existing Trustees complying with 2008 promises of declaring their assets.
    The moot question is whether the community will demonstrate its intellect and foresight or allow itself to be taken for another ride despite the EXPERIENCE. Time will show the intellect of the so called educated  community whether they will think on basis of  misguided propaganda or positively for future generation to come.

  16. Zerxes.Dordi.
    Zerxes.Dordi. on June 7, 2020 at 12:14 AM

    IT IS STARKINGLY  IRONICAL THAT NOT A SINGLE PERSON FROM THIS SLEATER ROAD  “SAUCE”  GROUP HAS  COME FORWARD TO  MAKE EVEN A  LAME DEFENCE OF THEIR IDOL.

  17. Zerxes.Dordi.
    Zerxes.Dordi. on June 3, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    IT IS STARKINGLY  IRONICAL THAT NOT A SINGLE PERSON FROM THIS SLEATER ROAD  “SAUCE”  GROUP HAS  COME FORWARD TO  MAKE EVEN A  LAME DEFENCE OF THEIR IDOL.

  18. Zerxes.Dordi.
    Zerxes.Dordi. on June 3, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    IT IS STARKINGLY  IRONICAL THAT NOT A SINGLE PERSON FROM THIS SLEATER ROAD  “SAUCE”  GROUP HAS  COME FORWARD TO  MAKE EVEN A  LAME DEFENCE OF THEIR IDOL.