It’s one of the world’s oldest religions, but Zoroastrianism is treated with suspicion by Iran’s Islamic state, writes Robert Tait The village of Chak Chak consists of a shrine perched beneath a towering cliff face. Photograph: Robert Tait. The boisterous scenes of wine, unveiled women and song confounded the popular stereotype of religious worship in… Continue reading Ancient religions clash in modern Iran
Author: arZan
Iran’s last Zoroastrians worried by youth exodus
TEHRAN: Flicking through photographs of immigrant Zoroastrian friends in sunny California, 40-year-old Farzad Dehnavizadeh sighs and wishes the young people of his faith stopped leaving Iran for the West. His 40,000-strong Zoroastrian community has survived centuries of conquest, oppression and forced conversion to keep their 3,200-year-old monotheistic faith alive and guard ancient traditions in Shiite… Continue reading Iran’s last Zoroastrians worried by youth exodus
The family business that helped build Indian industry
Starting over a century ago and against considerable odds, the Tatas virtually single-handedly built Indian industry. Theirs was the country’s first Indian-owned textile mill, India’s national airline and its first integrated steel plant. Ratan Tata: Chairman Tata and Sons Today, Tata Group bestrides the Indian corporate scene with billion dollar divisions in software services, cars,… Continue reading The family business that helped build Indian industry
Mumbai’s Irani hotspots
With distinctive ambience and mouth-watering fare, Irani cafes enthrall Mumbaikars. Largely frequented by the working class, these cafes are a big draw because they are reasonably priced and hygienic. OLD FAVOURITE: Sassanian Bakery, since 1931. – Shashi Ashiwal Bollywood, BSE, vada pav, dabbawallas… these are some of the more talked about elements of Mumbai. However,… Continue reading Mumbai’s Irani hotspots
Tata: the Indian industrial giant with a core of steel
Tata Steel was set up in the teeth of racist scorn and the incredulity of many servants of the Raj Both groups are headed by Indians and both are hungry to take over non-Indian steel companies. But there the similarities between Tata Steel, which yesterday was said to be contemplating buying the Anglo-Dutch steel firm… Continue reading Tata: the Indian industrial giant with a core of steel
Dasturji Jamasp Asa achieves fifty years of service
Tuesday was an important day for Mumbai’s Parsi community. The high priest of the community, Vada Dastur Saheb Khaikhusroo Dastur Minocher Pamasp Asa, of the 109-year-old Anjumana Atash Behram at Dhobitalao, completed 50 years of Dasturship (high priesthood). Khaikhusroo is the first priest of the community in Mumbai to complete such a long tenure. The… Continue reading Dasturji Jamasp Asa achieves fifty years of service
