Mumbai-based senior solicitor Berjis Desai has been appointed as a member of the National Commission for Minorities....
arZan Articles
A few in Parsi Community Protest ZYNG Calendar & Seeks BPP Accountability
Editor’s note: The article published in the Free Press Journal refers to a letter signed by a handful of people on an...
Alexander the ‘Accursed’ and Zoroastrianism
In his epic the Shahnamah (Book of Kings), the poet Firdawsi (940–1019 or 1025) vividly describes how Alexander (Iskandar/Sikandar) came upon the Persian emperor Darius (Dara) as he fled north after...
Ba Humata Lecture Series March 2023
The March 2023 Ba Humata Lecture will be on the topic “LIFE IS FOR-GIVING AND FORGIVING Ushtavaiti Gatha Yasna Ha 43.1”SpeakersErvad Poras T. Balsara (United States)Ervad Farhan Panthaki...
Book Launch: WHO WANTS TO MARRY KAI JUICEWALLA
This Valentine month author, former flight attendant and columnist, Kainaz Jussawalla’s fun, crazy and action packed memoir “ Who wants to marry Kai Juicewalla?”( one life, many loves, endless...
Bandian complex offers time travels to Sassanid era
An experience of traveling back in time to see magnificent examples of ancient plasterwork, bas-relief carvings, and other decorative elements is probably an unreachable dream.Bandian complex, a...
Chaos and Nuisance Reign Outside JJ Agiary in Pune
Devout Parsis visiting the Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Agiary on Dastur Meher Road in the Pune Camp area have been sending up a silent prayer for freedom from the chaos prevailing outside their sacred...
Kobad Ghandy: I got support in all jail authorities except Tihar’
'The IB and authorities knew I had given away all my property and had nothing in my name.' 'Even among police officers, they all respected me for this sacrifice which is rare these days.' 'They...
Parinaz Hathiram: First Zarathushti Girl to be Awarded the Eagle Scout Award in the USA
We are thrilled to learn that our dear friend Parinaz Homiar Hathiram was recently awarded the Eagle Scout Award. The Eagle Scout Award is the highest award bestowed upon Scouts in the United...
From California, How Sizzlers Became So Hot in Mumbai
A Zoroastrian Irani businessman from Bombay, Firoz Irani, ate at a California restaurant and loved the drama of a sizzling hot platter. When he came back to Bombay, he opened a restaurant called...
The Place Touché the Sizzler — legacy, history of sizzlers and much more
Started by Erani’s son Shahrookh Erani, ‘The Place Touché the Sizzler’ on Moledina Road, Camp, has been serving traditional sizzlers for an illustrious five decades. ‘The Place Touché the Sizzler’...
Zan Zendegi Azadi: A Zoroastrian legacy
The slogan of “Zan Zendegi Azadi” meaning women, life and freedom is being raised aloud by protestors in Islamic Republic of Iran, after Mahsa Amini, a 22 year old Iranian Kurd was pronounced dead...
Rustom Baug in Byculla celebrates centenary year
Built by Bai Jerbai Wadia in memory of her late son, the residential colony, continues to be a ‘self-contained’ thriving community centre for 330 families Rustom Baug boasts of a library, gymnasium,...
The champion hotelier
Byram D Avari will be remembered for his business acumen, love of sailing and philanthropy Article here Byram D Avari, who passed away in Karachi on January 22 at the age of 81, was more than a...
Byram D Avari, the Parsis of Karachi, and the future of Pakistan
From the original generation of Pakistanis, Avari was a shrewd businessman and a faithful community leader. But what does the Pakistan he leaves behind look like? There is an air that surrounds the...
Carrom and camaraderie in the colony
With Rustom Baug just hitting a century, we revisit other Parsi enclaves founded by the community’s visionaries It’s a privilege I haven’t had. Of living in a baug, that quaint yet quintessential...
Coomi Wadia & Areez Khambatta Conferred Padma Shri Awards 2023
On the eve of India’s Republic day, two Parsis are amongst those who are conferred the Padma Awards. The Padma Shri awards are conferred to Areez Khambatta (posthumously) and Coomi Nariman Wadia...
Byram Dinshawji Avari Passes Away
The Parsi community of Karachi and Pakistan lost one of its great stalwarts on January 22nd, with the passing away of Byram D. Avari. Parsi Khabar offers its deepest condolences to the Avari family...
What existed before Kayani Bakery at Poona at that spot?
What existed before Kayani at Poona at that spot?Who doesn’t know Kayani Bakery? People come from all over the country to buy their goodies.But who knows what existed before Kayani? Any guesses?...
Markham couple opens home for youths struggling with housing
'They're very friendly': Markham couple opens home for youths struggling with housing360°kids seeks community hosts for emergency accommodation Nightstop programIrene Wong | Markham Economist &...
Silver Anniversary Celebrations At WZO Trust Funds’ Bai Maneckbai P P Jeejeebhoy Senior Citizens Centre, Navsari
Earlier in January the Senior Citizen’s Center in Navsari celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Parsi Khabar were honoured to have been invited for the function. Below is a write up by our dear friend...
HumSafer: A Safety App for Truck Drivers by Jehaan Kotwal
Our dear friend, young entrepreneur and CEO of HumSafer Jehaan Kotwal has come out with an app for truck drivers that is designed to save lives, and make trucking safe. Humsafer users technology to...
Rustom Baug Is 100 Years Old
Well done, bawa! Rustom Baug smashes a tonne Byculla’s 32-building Parsi housing enclave set to celebrate 100th birthday with year-long events planned by grateful residentsBuildings are being lit up...
Through a lens, gently
The city premiere of Divya Cowasji’s film next month will showcase the best and brightest—and last—of Parsi theatre’s singing stars Veteran stars Bomi and Dolly Dotiwala (centre) practising with...
Turmoil for Residents of Hong Kong House in Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari Mumbai
The below is an article by esteemed journalist Nauzer K. Bharucha on the happenings at HongKong House in Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari, Mumbai.WHEN PARSI FAMILIES ARE BULLIED BY THEIR OWN IS THE N M...
From India to Iran, via Bombay and its Parsis, Rabindranath Tagore and a forgotten book
Elements of Indian culture and pre-Islamic Persia that survive in India shape modern Iranian culture, even today. Article by Adhiraj Parthasarathy & Mohammad Dawood | Scroll A copy of The Blind...
Frene Ginwala (1932-2023): The Parsi who left an indelible mark on South Africa’s Constitution
The African National Congress leader became the first democratic speaker in the country’s National Assembly in 1994. Frene Ginwala, feisty feminist, astute political tactician and committed cadre of...
South African Freedom Fighter Frene Noshir Ginwala passes away: An Obituary
Parsi Khabar is saddened to hear about the passing away of Frene Noshir Ginwala, a leading freedom fighter in South Africa, and the first speaker of an independent South Africa. Our dear friend...
Bhonu to pick: An RTI effort is reviving lost Parsi recipes
At Mumbai’s Sir Ratan Tata Institute, dishes from the distant past are being archived and served up on seasonal and monthly menus. These include British-era Continental desserts and unlikely...
Dr Tehemton Udwadia: We all mourn his loss, says Mumbai’s Parsi community
Mumbai’s Parsis mourn passing of legend Dr Tehemton E Udwadia as they remember a man grand in talent, spirit Surgeon and gastroenterologist Dr Tehemton Erach Udwadia passed away on Saturday,...
Incentive scheme for students at Dadar Athornan Institute
Incentive Scheme for Encouraging Boarders to join Dadar Athornan InstituteThe Dadar Athornan Institute (DAI) established in 1919 by the Athornan Mandal, Mumbai is the only seminary that provides...
Jamshed Ghadiali Makes His 350th Blood Donation
Our very dear friend Jamshed Ghadiali from New York writes in…On December 18, 2022 I gave my 350th blood donation. It all started on August 28, 1965 when three friends went to the Indian Red Cross...
Kharia Ni Jelly: The Parsi Winter Breakfast Cousin Of Paya
With the winter season reaching its peak, everyone’s looking for ways to keep themselves warm and cosy. From hot beverages to soups and stews, several delicacies are being prepared in Indian...
Ba Humata Lecture Series January 2023
The January 2023 Ba Humata Talk will be on the topic “LET'S SHOWER OUR POWER TO FLOWER AND EMPOWER” Vohukshatra Gatha Yasna Ha 51.1 There will be a special TanDorosti prayer From Iran in the...
Russi Cooper: Oldest Mumbai cricketer set to hit rare century
It's a rare 'century' that deserves a warm applause. On December 14, Russi Cooper, one of the oldest-living First-Class cricketers in India and certainly the oldest from Mumbai, will be celebrating...
The Ostowari Story
Dinyar Mistry sends us this beaituful write up about the Ostowari family. This is a love story. It is a story about a family’s love for their community and the lengths they went to. I am writing...
Ba Humata Lecture Series December 2022
The December 2022 Ba Humata Lecture Series will be on the topic “ IN LIFE... WHAT YOU EMPHASIZE MULTIPLIES, AMPLIFIES AND UNIFIES: The Zarathushti Prayers”Speakers: Ervad Mehbad Dastur (Canada)Ervad...
Areez Pirojshaw Khambatta Passes Away
The Creator of Rasna, Legendary industrialist and philanthropist – Shri Areez Pirojshaw Khambatta Passes Away With profound sorrow and grief, we announce the sad passing away, on 19th November 2022,...
Zoroastrian Association of California Celebrates 6th Anniversary of its Atash Kadeh
ZAC Celebrated the 6th Salgreh of their Atashkadeh with Blessings and Messages from 3 Vada Dasturs The 6th Salgreh of the Zoroastrian Association of California‘s Atash Kadeh was...
Peril at the Exposition by Nev March: Book Review
Captain Jim Agnihotri and his new bride, Diana Framji, return in Nev March's Peril at the Exposition, the follow up to March's award-winning, Edgar finalist debut, Murder in Old Bombay. 1893:...
Bazaar with a Parsi flavour on Saturday in Bangalore
The Bengaluru chapter of the World Zarathushti Chamber Of Commerce (WZCC) is hosting a ‘Winter Bazaar’ on Saturday.Article on Deccan HeraldThe organisation was created for networking, enhancing...
Feasting marks Parsi Sanjan Day 2022
There was particular excitement in the community as many got to go to Sanjan and visit the the Stambh [memorial] after the COVID-induced break of two years. Members of Parsi community attending a...
Bun maska and berry pulao: The history of Mumbai’s Irani cafes
Mumbai's Irani cafés are an iconic part of the city's social fabric, but over time, they have rapidly decreased in number. An homage to days of old, these cafés represent all that is cosmopolitan...
Rustomjee: A rising Mumbai developer hits the stock market
Before the end of November 2022, the real estate company would list on India’s stock exchanges at a market value of Rs. 5,600 crore Over a decade ago three builders were slugging it out for a large...
Bapsi’s Crow Eaters and the art of moralising
The debate that art should work only as art to entertain, called Art for Art’s sake, or that art should have some didactic purpose has converted into one in the writings of Bapsi Sidhwa. In her...
Dadi Eruchshaw Mistry: Obituary
Dear Friends With a very heavy heart have to inform that our dear Dadi Mistry, passed away at 9.45 am on Sunday November 13, 2022 Dadi was the former President of The Delhi Parsi Anjuman; and...
RTI: The old Parsi haunt jazzes it up with gourmet fare
The popular Hughes Road institution has been a city landmark since 1929; and the cuisine on offer has had a dedicated clientele. Now, winds of change are beginning to waft into the kitchen, where...
Rayomand J. Patell: Restoring Vintage Cars
Our dear friend Rayomand J. Patell is a man of many talents. He's a rockstar in the Advertising space for years and is equally a rockstar in the car world in Mumbai. His passion for cars extends to...
Hoshedar Deboo: In Conversation on the Wings Podcast
In this episode of Wings Podcast we will meet Hoshedar Deboo a 3rd generation entrepreneur currently working as Director of his family business - Albaj Engineering Corporation Pvt. Ltd., a...
Steel Man of India Dr Jamshed J Irani: An ardent lover of sports who promoted games and players in Jamshedpur
Ex-Tata Steel MD was a big supporter of adventure, Everester Bachendri will remain indebted to the great industry manMail News ServiceJamshedpur, November 6: Dr Jamshed. J. Irani was not only an...
Get To Know Parshan Khosravi: Young Zarthushti Leader Running for Laguna Hills City Council
It’s not everyday that we have a fellow Zarthushti running for office in America. In fact, we have never had a Zoroastrian run for city council before in California. That is all the more reason our...
COOKING FOR A CAUSE – Support the courageous women & people of Iran
Three amazing women from Atlanta, USA have a new initiative to show their support for what’s happening in Iran, and in turn raising money that will help towards that cause. Naina Bhedwar, Nairika...