In recent times during the past decade and a half, after the former USSR gave independence to its Republics, these lands are known by the names of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. Uzbekistan lays claim to being the birthplace of Paegamber Saheb and Tajikistan as being the place where he passed away from planet Earth. As is stated in the Avesta, Asho Zarathushtra from his birthplace in the North (what later became Sogdia and Uzbekistan) walked southwards to Balkh and Bactria to the Kyanian Kingdom of Kai Vishtasp (what later became known as present day Tajikistan).

Modern Tajik people are proud that Zarathushtra FIRST taught his Divine Message to their ancestors, to the Court of King Vishtasp. They are proud of their ancient Kyani Tokhum. This fact was visible repeatedly throughout the Republic Celebrations during all the events and stadium parades which always commenced with the scene of Zarathushtra holding the holy fire.

Predictions

Asho Zarathushtra gave the power of prediction to the wise Jamasph the Vizier of the Court of King Vishtasp. Thousands of years ago, it is recorded in the book of Jamasphi what the stars foretold about the rise and fall of Civilisations, birth of holy persons from the then distant past to the present times and much beyond. In this book and also in the Buhman Yasht, the predictions are given about the birth of a spiritually high soul person, a Rainidar sahib, having the title SHAH BEHRAM VARZAVAND SAHEB, during the present Aquarian Age time period. The Holy Maghavs (Moghs as they are called in present Tajikistan) accurately predicted his birth would occur in the middle of the 20^th century in India on the banks of the Narmada River of a Maghav father and a high level soul Zoroastrian mother. The predictions of the Abed Saheb-e Delaan of Demavand Kuh of the monastery of Firdaus, as informed in the second half of the 19^th Century to late Ustad Saheb Behramshah Nowroji Shroff, are recorded in print in Gujerati language in the Parsi Avaz weekly during the first half of the 20^th Century. All the predictions have come true.

According to the Divine Plan of Pak Dadaar AHURA MAZDA for the revival of the Ancient Avestan Cosmic Wisdom for the benefit of present day people on planet Earth during the present Aquarian Age, Shah Behram Varzavand Saheb has been working ceaselessly to transform the thinking patterns of people and the vibrations of the planet from darkness to light, from ignorance to awareness, from disobedience to obedience of the Divine Universal Natural Laws of AHURA MAZDA. After his period of spiritual training in Demavand Kuh and Chaechast Vaar, he is carrying out his work in public in many countries since 1981, working through many groups and organisations, many persons. The Zoroastrian College was established on planet Earth under his direct guidance, in order to enable him to carry out his work worldwide. Since January 2001 he is seated on his spiritual throne in Chaechast Vaar, and directing the work of the revival of the ancient faith in its original Aryana Vaeja homeland, through the Inner Government of the World, the Council of the Maghavs. In accordance with this direction the events are happening in these lands.

Carving Up of the Nations

In September 1991, the USSR formally dissolved, handing over independence to its many Republics. Just as the British Empire in India was divided by artificial boundaries and carved into the Republics of India, Pakistan, Ceylon, with bordering Kingdoms as Burma, Nepal, Sikkim, so too Russia carved its Empire recklessly disregarding the ancient cultural roots and bindings, dividing families, language and culture groups between artificially drawn boundaries. The wildly zigzagging boundaries between Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in this region have created perennial problems for road and train travellers for visas to cross artificial boundaries. These are the fabled lands of yore of the Great Silk Road built by the Achamenian Emperor Darius the Great, where silk merchants’ caravans with donkey packs carrying enormous loads passed visa-less from China to Rome. In the result, the Persian speaking Tajik people were carved up politically between the Republics of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The modern Uzbeks are more Islamic, speaking a Turkish based language; as contrasted with the Tajiks who are proud of their Ancient Aryan Ancestry and Persian language.

Tajikistan with a land area of 143,100 km² has a population of about six and a half million people, of whom roughly about half are of Ancient Aryan origin and the other half are the “invaders” — either Islamic from Turkish speaking peoples or Mongols from Chinese speaking peoples. The Taj (“Crown”) in the flag of Tajikistan has seven stars of the Haptoiring Constellation — the seven Ameshaspends.

Uzbekistan with an area of 447,400 km² has a population of about 25 million. The country has 12 states, symbolized by 12 stars in its flag. Depending on the state and people of the region, there are more Ancient Aryan origin Tajiks living in Uzbekistan than in Tajikistan itself. The Government of Uzbekistan encourages the teaching of Avesta as a school language for its municipal school children in Tashkent the capital city. Languages spoken by the people of the states such as Sogdian, Bactrian are also taught at the Institute of Oriental Languages Studies in Tashkent.

15 Years after Independence of Tajikistan

Once free, this small nation immediately set about reviving its ancient glorious Kyanian dynasty Aryan Avestan civilisation. Though crippled by economic poverty, the Government of Tajikistan celebrated its First Republic Anniversary by holding the First Avesta World Conference in Dushanbe in the Academy of Sciences after a thousand years in September 1992. In March 1992, the first delegation of high-level scholars, academicians and Members of Parliament visited India as guests of Zoroastrian College, and were warmly welcomed by the Delhi, Navsari, Pune, Dahnu, Baroda Parsee Anjumans, and in Bombay. The return Delegation visit of five Zoroastrians from India, one from Pakistan and two from London took place in September 1992 just before the outbreak of the civil war within Tajikistan, fostered by external World Powers, when brother killed brother. In December 1992, the Tajikistan Prime Minister brought his first official visit of Tajik Govt. to any foreign country — a planeload of Ministers and other high officials — to India. In his speech at the Indian Merchants Chamber in Bombay, he publicly stated: “I could have taken my first foreign delegation visit to any country in Europe or even USA. We came here to India because our Zoroastrian brothers and sisters live here.”

In 1994, despite the internal war, with UNESCO support, Tajikistan Govt. celebrated the One Thousand Years of the Tajik National Poet, Firdausi, and the Shahnameh. In the capital city of Dushanbe the main national library is named Firdausi Library, and it has several illustrated manuscripts of Shahnameh, and also manuscripts of Avestan books.

In 1996, as soon as Emomaly Rahmonov, the Man of Peace (who wrote in his own autobiography how deeply he was influenced by the teachings of Zarathushtra since his youth), was made President, Tajikistan celebrated its 5^th Republic Anniversary by holding the 2^nd World Avesta Conference through the Academy of Sciences. At the same time in deference to the half of the population having Islamic background, the Tajik Govt. celebrated the Anniversary of the poet Kamal-e Khujandi. Teaching of Avesta language and Aryan philosophy was introduced in schools.

In 2001 for the 10^th Republic Anniversary Celebration President Emomaly Rahmonov selected the theme to celebrate 2700 years of Asho Zarathushtra. What a wonderful Conference at the Academy of Sciences in Dushanbe and even more wonderful Republic Day Parade in the old stadium in his hometown Kulab. The entire Life of Asho Zarathushtra was depicted in a stage production; and scenes were enacted from the Vendidad teachings at the stadium that all Tajik schoolchildren would be inspired to follow his teachings.

In 2002 President Emomaly Rahmonov marched into UNESCO office in Paris and demanded as Head of a Nation State that the year 2003 be declared worldwide by UNESCO as the year for celebration of 3000 years Revival of Zarathushtrian Culture and Civilisation. In deference to his request UNESCO so declared.

In September 2003, Govt of Tajikistan promptly followed this up by holding the biggest and best celebrations in the Hall of the Ministry of Culture Building in Dushanbe. Zoroastrian communities all over the world, from Singapore to USA, India to UK and Iran took the advantage of the UNESCO declaration to hold celebrations .I was present when he declared in his Republic Day Speech to the Nation that the 2006 Celebrations would be dedicated to Aryan Civilisation Revival. And it so happened.

In accordance with the Cosmic plan of Ahura Mazda and the work and direction of Shah Behram Varzavand Saheb, in 2002 January to June Prof Rustom K Fuzaylov of Khujand, a learned Zoroastrian professor from Tajikistan Technological University whose Navjote had been performed in Dushanbe in 2001 by the Iranian Mobed Jamshedi Kamran, came to Zoroastrian College in Mumbai to gain practical firsthand experience of living in the midst of the Zoroastrian families in India and to write the historic book of Khordeh Avesta in Russian Cyrillic script with Tajik Persian meanings and translation. The book was first released in Mumbai by the Consul General of Poland, in May 2002. It was second time officially released at the Conference in Dushanbe in September 2003 at the distinguished hands of. Mr. Abdujabor Rakhmonov now the Minister for Education. Vol. One of the book of Yashts was also released then.

2006 — The Present Scene: Making History

In accordance with the Cosmic Plan of AHURA MAZDA and the work of SHAH BEHRAM VARZAVAND SAHEB for spiritual upliftment of Aryiana Vaeja present time population. President Emomaly Rahmonov declared year 2006 as Year for Revival of Aryan Civilisation. Government of Tajikistan announced through Academy of Sciences the official Conference on this topic to be held on 7^th September 2006 as part of the official 15^th Anniversary celebrations. To support this Zoroastrian College was invited to bring its delegation to Tajikistan, by Madame Maisara Kolonova, President of Tajik Govt. Friendship Society, Anjuman-e Doosti, the main lady of Tajikistan having worldwide connections, who has been the main pillar of support for Zoroastrian College work in Tajikistan, my Tajik “sister” since 1991.

The Z.C. Delegation consisted of the following nine persons, five from India, two from Iran, one from Canada and one from Australia: Dame Dr. Prof. Meher Master-Moos, President, Zoroastrian College; Ervad Khushroo Madan; Ervad Framroze Mirza; Mrs Gulistan Irani CEO of Farshak Travels; Mr. Navroz Singporewalla; from India; Dr. Iranpour and Mrs Mehrbanoo Bustani of Tehran; Fariborz Rahnamoon, Editor of Iran Zamin from Canada; Fariborz Jamshidi, President of Zoroastrian Association of Australia.

Tajikistan Govt had also invited other Zoroastrians from other countries including Mr. A. Sassanfar and group from France; daughter of late Mr Faridoon Zartoshty and others from USA/Canada; and also many other non Zoroastrian persons, professors and scholars; the total official Hukumat Mehmanlist was over one hundred persons; President invited all of us for dinner with him at the President’s Palace on 9^th at Dushanbe and 10^th at his hometown Kulab where we were flown by special planes and given a right royal welcome. President met us personally and shook hands with us, and many others of the invited guests.

The following is a “brief report” of work accomplished by Zoroastrian College delegation during its visit to Tajikistan and also Tashkent Uzbekistan during August-September 2006. After a thousand years of Islamic rule and no-religion policy of USSR, the people got the benefit of Navjotes, Jashans and ground purification ceremony for consecration of Fire Temple.

 24^th Aug: Jashan Ceremony at Tashkent at Residence of Zoroastrian lady Mrs Sonia, a member of Tashkent Mazdayasnish Zarathushtrish Anjuman.

 26^th Aug: Jashan Ceremony at Khujand, Tajikistan at residence of Mr Abdufattoh, President of Khujand Zarathushtrian Anjuman; followed by navjotes of him and his son.

 27^th Aug: Navjotes of Prof Rustom Fuzaylov’s family members, wife, wife’s daughter and granddaughter, his two daughters, son, daughter in law and grandson and grand daughter; and also of Govt Hukumat office Senior Lawyer and Public Prosecutor and a Professor from Tajik University. Total, 16 person’s navjotes in first two days of members of Khujand Zarathushtrian Anjuman.

 29^th Aug: Istaravshan — Jashan-e Khushali at the residence of Prof Akhror Muktarov, Senior Academician and respected senior city member, in presence of Mayor’s office representatives. This was videoed by Istaravshan Govt. TV for public showing.

 1^st September: Voroh Village — High up over 23000 ft height mountains in this tiny ancient Zarathushtrian village, our mobeds performed Jashan in the chill mountain air in full view of the entire village population and also the representatives of the Penjikant Mayor’s office and archaeologists of the Sarazem 5,500 years old Fire temples excavations. These Sogdian people openly said “we have ancient Zarathushtrian blood flowing in our veins” .

 3^rd to 12^th September Official Government Republic anniversary program in Dushanbe and Kulab. — In his every speech President Emomaly Rahmonov exhorted people to follow the ethical teachings of Zarathushtra, whom he described as the First “Hero” of Tajikistan. At the Govt Parades in Kulab and Dushanbe the Opening Ceremony depicted Zarathushtra in front of huge fire reciting manthras. Scenes from Vendidad holy book were enacted. The long horns blew the power of manthras sound all over the country. Our mobeds recited Dua Tundorosti for TV interviewers for blessing the President and entire nation. The walls of the cement factory at Dushanbe are decorated with 110 scenes of Avesta and Shahnameh epic stories including pictures of Jamshed Padshah, Asho Zarathushtra, Avesta scriptures and Asho Farohar. Main Govt Library in Dushanbe, the Firdausi library had special exhibition of Shahnameh illustrated manuscripts. UNESCO supported the Penjikant excavations of ancient Zoroastrian Sogdian kingdom over 5,500 years’ old fire temples and palaces. In Dushanbe Govt has given grant of land to Mr A Sassanfar from France, to construct Zoroastrian Cultural Centre cum Darbe Meher; and also in Istaravshon, where his building is already under construction facing the Mayor’s office. Also a schoolteacher in Istaravshon has already built a small dadgah fire temple cum meeting place building facing the main bazaar entrance gate.

presenting carpet for President at Conference

Our delegation members were invited as speakers to participate in the Aryan Civilisation Revival Conference of Tajik Govt Academy of Sciences on 7^th Sept and also attend the Persian Paewand meeting of Tajiks worldwide chaired by President Emomaly Rahmonov.

 11^th Sept: in Dushanbe — Special meeting with Dr Pulatov’s University students.

 14^th Sept. in Khujand — Navjote of a lady Univ. Prof. member of Khujand Zarathushtrian Anjuman; performance of ground purification ceremony for construction of fire temple Darbe Meher in Khujand. Jashan ceremony at residence of Prof Rustom Fuzaylov. Special meeting with University students. Visit to Arbob’s Palace.

 16^th Sept: Tashkent — Through Prof Rustom Abdukamilov, navjotes of 8 persons, members of Tashkent Zarathuhtrish Anjuman, mostly all his students were completed.

 17^th Sept. Tashkent — Navjotes of further 10 persons of Zarathushtrish Anjuman group.

 21^st September Tashkent — Navjotes of further 10 persons of Zarathushtrish group. In this one family of father, daughter and son and a lady architect and another lady of high official position.

In Tashkent City Govt — Hukumat — officially sponsors teaching of Avesta language in Municipal schools and also as a College University subject. Prof Rustom Abdukamilov is teaching Avesta to over 600 students in two municipal schools plus in the Govt Institute of Languages. Uzbekistan has 12 states and languages including Avesta, Bactrian and Sogdian are taught in the education school/college curriculum as living languages.

TOTAL ACCOMPLISHMENT OF ZOROASTRIAN COLLEGE DELEGATION for the Revival efforts:

— Navjotes of forty five persons — 17 in Khujand and 28 in Tashkent — Before performing navjotes, each candidate was individually screened, ancestry ascertained and asphendi spiritual level checked.
— Five Jashans — 4 in Tajikistan and 1 in Tashkent
— One Ground Purification ceremony for Fire Temple Consecration in Khujand
— Five Official Papers presented at Aryan Revival Conference; where as the President of Zoroastrian College, I were invited as co-chairperson for the afternoon session of 7^th Sept.
— Two University Students Interactive programs in Khujand and Dushanbe

Acknowledgements

Zoroastrian College expresses its heartfelt thanks to Mr Jamshed Guzder for his generous contribution of Rs two and a quarter lakhs for this 2006 project for presenting two aferganyas, funds for two anjumans and support for two mobeds, for this visit.

Thanks should also be recorded for the support given by Mr. NaryYman Dubash during 2001 to 2005 for this project work.

Special thanks to both our mobeds, Mrs Gulistan Irani & Farshak Travels staff, Dr Jamshed Sidhwa & TCI Delhi staff, Zoroastrian College Staff, all our delegation members, Mr Diniar Mehta, Mrs Shirin Faramarzi, Mr Siddarth Desai, and all those who have supported this project work over the years.

In Tajikistan special Thanks to my “sister” Madame Maisara Kolonova; and also to Prof Dr. Rustom K. Fuzaylov and his son Ravshan; and Prof Dr Pulat Pulatov.

In Uzbekistan thanks to Mr Rustom Abdukamilov, state teacher for Avesta language and Mazdayasnish Zarathushtrish Anjuman in Tashkent co-ordinator.

In France special thanks to Dr A. Sassanfar and Prof Dr Raham Asha.

Plans for Future Follow-Up Projects and Development

In accordance with the Cosmic Plan of Ahura Mazda the work of revival is continuing.

For Tajikistan, the main immediate requirements are:

1. Completion of construction of the three fire temple cum Zoroastrian Anjuman centres buildings; Mr Sassanfar of France is supporting the construction for Dushanbe and Istaravshan and Zoroastrian College is supporting the work in Khujand.
2. Through the Anjuman’s activities, Zoroastrian College is giving support to the educational work for holding teaching classes and weekly prayers meetings by sending books, audio cassettes and videos to both Tajikistan and Tashkent Anjumans.
3. More mobeds need to be sent to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and other Aryan countries for doing more navjotes, and for teaching practical ceremonies, at regular six monthly or three monthly intervals.

For Uzbekistan — Tashkent: Mr Fariborz Rahnamoon, Iran Zamin editor, from Canada is supporting the projects there.

In India the main task facing the Zoroastrian College is Building construction of the remaining part of the main College Library building plus the separate students residence building.

The Educational project is to bring two younger Zoroastrian persons from Dushanbe, two University students from Khujand and two persons from Tashkent to India during June-August 2007 for about two months and give them training at Zoroastrian College plus practical home stay experience of “Parsianu” by home stays in Mumbai and elsewhere and also send suitable boys to our two madressas in Bombay for training of future generation of mobeds to staff the fire temples that are under construction.

Also preparation and printing of educational material in Tajik Persian and Russian languages.

FUNDS are needed for this continuing work:
CORPUS DONATIONS for the construction cost
and
REVENUE DONATIONS to print in Russian and Tajik languages the Avesta books and to bring some selected persons to India to stay at our Zoroastrian College in Sanjan and return home to teach our Mazdayasnie Zarathushti daena.

Funds for project work in India should be sent by cheques in favour of SHAH BEHRAM BAUG SOCIETY.
To office address Mustafa building 2^nd floor Sir Pherozeshah Mehta Road, Fort Mumbai 400001, India. All donations are tax exempt in India and official tax exempt receipts are issued for all donations in cash and by cheques.

Funds for project work for sending to Tajikistan directly — Interested persons may please contact Dr Meher Master Moos on email address mazocoltajik@rediffmail.com or tel: 0091-(0)-9323272671 mob tel no. or 0091-22-23644737 res. tel no.