The Parsis in WWI - The Battle Of The Somme

Westminster Abbey Service Honours Parsi/Irani Soldiers

A service was held in remembrance of the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Somme 1916-2016. Many Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives during this devastating war and 19 Parsi soldiers died on the battlefield of Somme.

On July 1, the British Government held a full service at Westminster Abbey to commemorate lives lost and the unparalleled courage shown, by those who fought at the Battle of Somme in France during World War I.

Few know, that in this terrible battle, a million soldiers died fighting in service of their country. Many Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives during this devastating war and 19 Parsi soldiers lost their lives on the battlefield of Somme. The Parsi Battalion was the only fighting force in British India that was granted the same status as the British army.

But it all seemed to be so far out in time and place that one paid little attention to the upcoming event. Then, quite out of the blue, I received an email from Col. Sohrab Rusi Dalal (son of Rusi and Roshan Dalal, ZTFE, UK). He was invited to participate and read a passage at the National Remembrance service to mark the 100^th anniversary of the Battle of Somme, at Westminster Abbey.

Col. Dalal wanted a passage, a letter or a write up that he could read on the Parsis to mark their presence at the battle of Somme.I knew of only one person who had compiled and chronicled the history of Parsi Irani soldiers who gave their lives in World War I. I turned to Marzban J. Giara’s recently published book, The Contribution of the Parsi Community during the First World War (1914-1918).

There I discovered the names of the Parsi Irani soldiers who fought in the many theatres of the Great War, the most hallowed being the battlefield of Somme. In the book compiled by Giara I found just what I wanted, a moving poem addressed to “Ye sons of Zal and Rustam” a reference to the great warriors in the epic poem, Shahname.

The poem, composed by the eminent Parsi scholar and author Rustom B. Paymaster, and found in his book The Voice of the East on The Great War was published by Giara in his book.

Giara is a determined chronicler of community history and heritage and we thank him for it and the Sorabji Burjorji Garda College Trust Navsari that sponsored the book.

This poem in honour of the Parsi Irani soldiers, was read by Col. Sohrab Rusi Dalal and was the first of 39 pieces read out at the Westminster Abbey service, a moving tribute of remembrance, of those members of our community who gave their lives during the Great War so that we may live in freedom.

For the record, the soldiers of the Parsi Battalion, according to Giara, carried with them a small Khordeh Avesta, which was given to them before they left the shores of Bombay and before every mission they would perform their Kusti before going into action.

This poem was composed by Shams-Ul-Ulma Dastur Dr. Darab Peshotan Sanjana, High Priest of the Parsis, who exhorted them to take up arms for their King and the Empire (vide The Times of India, 12th August 1914). This poem is from The Voice of the East on The Great War, by Rustom B. Paymaster, Bombay 1916.

Ye sons of Zal and Rustom, now’s the time,

For you to show your loyal zeal sublime.

Take Mazda’s name, and quick gird up your loins,

Up! Up and do what duty now enjoins,

Ye Parsees, sooth, the very life-blood owe,

Which in your pure Iranian veins doth flow,

Your flesh and bones and skin, your freedom full,

Nor pearls nor diamonds have such wealth contain.

So, Parsees awake! When called for fight prepare,

Unfurl your Gavian standard in the air!

Fling the light saddle on your charger’s back,

Not one, when called to arms, must spirit lack.

Ay, walk with British soldiers pace to pace,

March to the battlefield with manly grace

Draw your proud ranks by your brave ruler’s side,

Unmindful in what future maybe-tide-

What matters it if o’er you mountains slip!

Or foe men’s hateful Swords your bodies rip?

What matters it if you in sea are drowned,

Or in the air you’re shot to plunge aground?

To your great fame brave deeds will e’er rebound,

Return or die with lasting glory crowned

In just and righteous cause your sword unsheathe,

To future times your brilliant fame bequeaths.

FIROZA PUNTHAKEY MISTREE: Jam-e-Jamshed Weekly, Sunday, July 24, 2016

AMAZING SELF-PROTECTION DEVICE FOR WOMEN

New Military Flashlight Every Girl Needs to Know About

Every woman knows the feeling: You’re walking through a parking lot alone. It’s really dark out, and you’re getting eyed by some strange man lurking in the distance.

When that happens, there are four things you should have in your possession:

• Keys to clutch between your knuckles
• Pepper spray
• A personal alarm on your keychain
• A super powerful flashlight

The first three make sense, but few women consider the importance of the flashlight. Here’s why that’s a big mistake.

The first three items often take time to enable – time you may not have. Will you be able to get your keys between your fingers and nail a good punch before an attacker stops you? Can you take the safety off your pepper spray and aim it in the right direction in time? How easily can you activate the “screamer” alarm on your keychain – and will anyone even pay attention to it?

Don’t get us wrong, these items are all great to have, but a flashlight is another essential. It can be used to deter a lurker by exposing him in the shadows, blinding an attacker close up, or as a blunt object during a struggle.
A new tactical flashlight called the G700 has been getting a lot of attention in this area. It’s made out of nearly indestructible Military-Grade Aircraft Aluminum Housing, runs on only 3 AAA batteries, and is able to light the way to safety with 700 blinding lumens of light. It also houses a super cool ZOOM feature (demonstrated in the photo above), an "SOS mode" to signal for help, as well as a "strobe mode" that produces a pulsating frequency to disorient a threat within milliseconds!

Have a teen or college-age daughter? This is an essential tool that can give them (and you) some peace of mind.

From police to self-defense instructors, countless experts agree that a flashlight is a powerful safety tool. But unlike regular LED lights you’ll find at hardware stores, the G700 uses recently released military technology that is now available to the public. This allows it to be super powerful, very durable, and incredibly lightweight, so you can bring it anywhere you go.

Orders are currently pouring in for the G700 because the company announced a bargain 75% discount on purchases for new customers—while supplies last!
Whether you’re single or married, teenager or young adult, college student or professional woman – it’s important to protect yourself and the people you love. Having the right tools allows you to do that.

THE TOP FIVE JAPANESE WHISKIES

LEADING 12 YO JAPANESE WHISKIES IN THE USA

The top five of Japan’s 12-year-old whiskies are: Yamazaki, Hakushu, Nikka Taketsuru, Nikka Miyagikyo and Hibiki. Drink them as you like, but note that the Japanese typically add a dash (or a lot) of water. I use between 5 and 15 drops of water, using a pipette or drinking straw. I like Yamazaki the most.I have included the Yoichi 10-year-old as a very close 6th.

1. Suntory Yamazaki

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sweetest: The first seriously marketed whisky from the distillery that started it all: Yamazaki 12-year-old. This is the classic, and for good reason. It’s light. It’s floral. It’s delicious. For what you’re getting, it’s reasonably priced. On the nose, one gets hints of zest and honey, and the palate, smooth and sweet, brings flavors of citrus with some vanilla oakiness. If you have a snobbish friend who insists on Scotch, a glass of Yamazaki should be the first class in a course of conversion to the Japanese path.  

2. Suntory Hakushu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Smokiest: Hakushu, Suntory’s third American release, comes in a green bottle (a rarity among most clear-bottled Japanese whiskies) that hints at its “green” flavor profile: leaves and fruits, particularly pear. Marketed as the “fresh” whisky, Hakushu 12-year-old comes from the forests at the base of the Southern Japanese Alps. However, you’d be forgiven if you mistake this for an Islay malt. Even thoroughbred tasters often fail to separate the two. The use of peated barley, imported from Scotland, gives the whisky a smoky nose that suggests seaside origins; then you taste the delicate whisky, and find yourself transported to the forests of Japan.

3. Nikka Miyagikyo

 

 

The Most Surprising: When you nose this whisky, it releases little by the way of aroma. It takes ten minutes to settle and a second sniff yields heavy doses of toffee and caramel. The taste — full of strong, sweet vanilla — mimicks the nose’s form: slow to build, but impressive at its peak.Very classy finish.

4. Nikka Taketsuru

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Smoothest: Interestingly, this is a vatted (a blend of single malts) versus blended whisky, brought over to the United States for the first time just last year. It combines 12-year-old malts from Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries. The darkest of the five whiskies (though still light, as far as whiskies go), the Taketsuru wows your taste with its even balance and smooth finish. On the nose, you get hints of vanilla, apple and cinnamon (apple pie). However, honey dominates the palate — so much so, in fact, that you feel like you are drinking straight from a honeycomb. The finish is rather short. 

5. Suntory Hibiki

The Sexiest Bottle: Housed in a distinct, multi-faceted, corked (!) bottle, or decanter, this Suntory whisky looks like something pulled from Noel’s personal bar. Although the nose is a bit sharp, the Hibiki gains points for using whisky aged in Mizunara, a rare Japanese oak, as well as casks formerly used to hold Japanese plum liqueur. Like the Nikka Miyagikyo, the Hibiki is rich and thick, bordering on syrupy. The taste mirrors the honey and vanilla of other offerings, but with an oily texture and small notes of fruit. An excellent blend. 

6. Yoichi 10 YO

 

A very well made single malt from Japan, Yoichi is the jewel in Nikka's crown, their 10 year old offering notes of vanilla and fruit.  Nose: Plenty of fruit notes - peach stands out in particular, ripe, vibrant and subtly floral. Then there's rich vanilla custard, peat smoke and a hint of nutmeg spice. Palate: Oily and sweet, with peat smoke following swiftly afterwards. Light oak and developing fruit notes beneath. Finish: Appealing oak lasts on the finish.