Madam Cama first fluttered the Indian flag to the world in August 1907, paving the path for Bombay Presidency’s...
India Articles
Godrej locks its history in Amar Chitra Katha in outreach to youth
The challenge, Godrej says, was to reach a younger audience and children who might have had very little association...
When the British asked the French to jail Madame Cama
When the British asked the French to jail Madame Cama, the ‘mother of Indian revolution’For decades, the British government surveilled the Parsi freedom fighter.Article by John O’BrienA postal stamp...
Jamsetji Tata tops global list of top 10 philanthropists from last 100 yrs
Hurun Research and EdelGive Foundation today released the 2021 EdelGive Hurun Philanthropists of the Century, a ranking of the world's most generous individuals from the last 100 yearsJamsetji...
Doyens of medical service: Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College in Pune celebrates 75th foundation day
The hospital had played a crucial role during the 2009 Swine flu outbreak and even now, before PMC could upgrade its hospitals with ventilators and tertiary care, Sassoon was the only government...
As Jiyo Parsi scheme delivers, community sees record births
The work from home norm during Covid-hit 2020 delivered some good news for the Parsi community which saw a record 61 births, assisted through the Centre’s Jiyo Parsi scheme aimed at arresting a...
Centre Seeks More Time From Guj HC To File Reply
Next Hearing To Take Place On June 9; Parsi Trust’s Petition Says Burial Or Cremation Of Parsis Succumbing To Covid-19 Is Against Their ReligionThe Central government on Thursday sought time from...
Gujarat High Court Issues Notice On Plea Seeking Permission To Perform Dokhmenashini, The Practice Of Disposing Dead Bodies In Parsi Community
The Gujarat High Court has issued notice on a petition filed by Surat Parsi Panchayat Board seeking permission to perform Dokhmenashini, a customary practice among the Parsi community of putting the...
Not just the coronavirus, the government’s ineptitude has brought this tsunami on us
Oxygen, vaccination, more beds and firmer enforcement of COVID-19 protocols can help us weather this crisis.The present pandemic has devastated our poor country and anguished its people. There are...
The Pompous Legacy of the Persian Language in India
From to 'Hind' and 'Hindostan' to 'Chashma' and 'Biryan', the words you know and the language and history you don't. Persian“The best memory is that which forgets nothing, but injuries. Write...
Naoroji’s ‘Drain of Wealth’ Approach: Guiding Indian Nationalism
Beyond brief by-rote study of history at school about the ‘Grand Old Man of India’, not many Indians are aware of the true depth of the achievements of Dadabhai Naoroji. Mathematics prodigy at...
The Legal Effect Of Declaring A Statute Unconstitutional; Revisiting The Pesikaka Case
What happens to a statute when the Supreme Court declares it unconstitutional, either in its entirety or in part? Does it vanish like a disappearing message on WhatsApp or does it get temporarily...
The pioneering lawyer who fought for women’s suffrage in India
Amid the pandemic gloom, it is easy to forget that the year 2020 marks an important anniversary for women's rights.In the US, it has been 100 years since women cast their votes for the first time. A...
The Irani Aviator And His Flying Machine
The Irani doctor of Dahanu and his flying machineDr. Behramshah Mazda, MBBS, was on the phone. Talking to me from Dahanu. Hometown of the Zoroastrian Iranis. About 120-km from Mumbai by road. I was...
Story of Jamshedpur: Romance and Valour
Envisioned by a Parsi, planned by an American, named by a British Viceroy, landscaped by a German Botanist, the story of Jamshedpur is full of romance and valour.Once Sakchi, a village in the...
Pervez Damania: State of Aviation Industry Post COVID-19
Our dear friend and aviation industry legend Pervez Damania speaks to CNBC on the state of the aviation industry today and in the future, post COVID-19...
Numbers shrinking, Parsis appeal for preserving their legacy in Lucknow
Members of Parsi community in Lucknow on Monday urged the administration to free their properties of encroachments and help in its preservation. Speaking at the book launch of ‘Bharat Ka Parsi...
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu releases commemorative postal stamp and coffee table book to commemorate 100 years of Jamshedpur
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu releases commemorative postal stamp and coffee table book to commemorate 100 years of Jamshedpur Applauds Tata group`s ethical approach to business Jamshedpur, Feb 17:...
In Kolkatta Dharmashala stands, but not many travellers as the community shrinks
A leftover of time but living testament to the Parsis in Kolkata. “Manackjee Rustomjee Dharmashala for Parsi travellers” — the inscription in an old-fashioned font on the doorway transports one to...
Part and Parsi of Madras
This Madras Day, members from one of the oldest communities in the city speak through their traditions, roots, cuisines and culture.Amid the clamour of a bustling Royapuram lies the Parsi fire...
Chennai’s Parsi community looks back on its ties with the metropolis
The city’s Royapuram fire temple stands on the brink of turning 110 In Royapuram, heavy with humidity and the sharp tang of sea salt, stands a white building that has sheltered an undying flame for...
Feroze Gandhi’s grave lies forgotten
Feroze Gandhi may be the patriarch of the Congress's first family, but the party as well as his family members seem to have neglected his cemetery in Allahabad, now rechristened as Prayagraj.As per...
Nehru’s son-in-law Feroze, a crusader, who exposed corruption in his party’s government
It is because of a private member’s bill introduced by Feroze Gandhi in 1956 that it is possible for media to report Parliament proceedings.New Delhi: He was just 48 when he passed away on 8...
Remembering the Parsi community of Amritsar
The Parsi community, known for its entrepreneurial and philanthropic activities, has been a significant part of the history of Amritsar. The city, known for its open heart and the ability to...
Meet the Kavinas, one of the only two Parsi families in Kerala
Dressed in regular ‘nighties’ with a dash of sacred ash on their forehead, Rathi and Dhan Kavina could easily pass off as Malayalis. But a look around their modest flat reveals a picture of Prophet...
Aban Marker-Kabraji Conferred Tamgha-i-Imtiaz Award by Pakistan Goverment
We are thrilled to share the news that our dear friend and mentor Aban Marker-Kabraji has been conferred the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz award. Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence), is a...
The Delhi Parsi Aramgah
Walking through any cemetery is bound to stir feelings. And perhaps even more so in this secluded graveyard in central Delhi that belongs to the rapidly dwindling Parsi community, descendants of a...
The Mahatma’s Parsi connection
The nation remembered its Mahatma - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi - on his 148th birth anniversary on Monday. Gandhi had great respect for people of all communities and religions, including the...
Senior Citizen Day Celebrated at Navsari Center
October 1st is Senior Citizen’s Day. 100 school children from the Sett RJJ High School in Navsari visited the WZO Trust Funds Senior Citizen’s Centre to meet our Senior Citizens. The students had...
Parsi community divided over sale of land in Dharwad
Members accuse federation of selling valuable properties The plan to sell a piece of land in Dharwad, Karnataka, has become a matter of contention in the Parsi community. Article by Jyoti Shelar |...
Parsis In The Deccan: Trusted traders with quirky sense of humour
Known for their quirky sense of humour and love for food, Parsis are regarded as honest businessmen. Parsis in the twin cities have made a mark in the fields of automobiles, confectionary, software...
Jiyo Parsi Phase 2 to focus on counselling
The second phase will be launched on July 29 by the Union Minister of minority affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who will be in Mumbai for it After a successful 20 per cent increase in the birth rate in...
101 babies in 3 years – Jiyo Parsi
Studies conducted by the National Commission for Minorities, and other joint studies conducted by Parzor and Tata Institute of Social Sciences, have identified several reasons for the decline in the...
Return To Roots 2017 Trip Applications Open
Parsi Khabar has been associated with the Zoroastrian Return To Roots Program since its inception in 2013. Over the last three trips over 45 Zoroastrian youth from all over the world have had an...
The Parsi Caregivers of Kolkatta
I have a dreaded fear that I am sharing in the open. When I grow old, I may become feeble. When I become old, my children may be far from me. When I grow old, I may become lonely. In perhaps no...
Supreme Court of India to examine Parsi woman’s right of religious identity
The Supreme Court today agreed to examine a contentious issue whether a Parsi woman can be deprived of her religious identity, acquired by the virtue of her birth, after marrying a man of different...
Kozikhode: Parsi culture still has its fire glowing
On April 18 which is observed as World Heritage Day, among the several monuments with a story to tell in Kozhikode is its only Parsi temple in Kerala. The local people are not well aware of this...
Kolkata’s Parsi community on the wane
Lesser known in the city than in Mumbai, the community arrived here from Surat in the late 18th century Their rise here parallelled the consolidation of British power in eastern India and the rise...
Transforming Lives :Tata Trusts digital campaign
Shireen Mistree a very dear friend points us to a new media initiative by Tata Trusts where she currently works in Strategy and Partnerships. Shireen writes We are pleased to share our philanthropic...
Debate on Navjote ceremony in Delhi
Even as the debate of rights of children from Parsi mother to non-Parsi father and Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is being debated in the community, a case of a Navjote ceremony on a boy born to Parsi...
Meet the man whom Mahatma Gandhi called ‘the Father of the Nation’
The back story to Dadabhai Naoroji’s insistent demand for swaraj or self-rule. Article by Dinyar Patel | Scroll.In In 1892, when he became the first Indian elected to the British House of...
Indian Census Shows 18% Decline in Parsi Population
An alarming 18% decline in Parsi population since 2001 census has community worried. Below are two articles. The first is by dear friend and the Director of the UNESCO PARZOR Project Dr. Shernaz...
Where Did All The Vultures Go ?
Raghav Mandava takes the disappearance of the vultures in India head on. In a hard hitting video he lays the problems out head on. Written & Performed by - Raghav Mandava Director -...
Once an important centre of Parsis, Agra has now just 6 of them
From a time when all the prominent institutions in Agra were run by Parsis in the early 20th century -- right from manning the Central Bank to starting city's iconic hotel Cecil Mansion and entirely...
Kolkatta Parsis To Discuss Survival Issues at Sunday workshop
Come Sunday and the 500-odd Parsis in Kolkata will get together for a special workshop on problems faced by the community, one of the smallest in the country. This is an initiative by Jiyo Parsi, an...
Santhome: The Parsi locality in Chennai where you are welcomed with hugs
For about a century, since dropping anchor in Chennai, the Clubwala family has been credited with founding several institutions in the city. "Hugging," says 87-year-old Mani Clubwalla, is one she...
Adi Godrej: Beef ban, prohibition are hurting economy
Adi Godrej first to speak out: Beef ban, prohibition are hurting economy Clever democratic leaders make sure disadvantages are minimised, advantages maximised, says Godrej chairman. INDUSTRIALIST...
Parsis on Indian Stamps
1st March, 1958 – 50th Anniversary of Steel Industry, Jamshedji Tata – Steel Plant 15th April, 1959 – Sir Jamshetjee Jeejeebhoy (1783-1859), Philanthropist – Death Centenary. ...
Nadir Maneckjee: The Hatter of Bangalore
Through a gateway leading off Cunningham Road stands the Hatworks Boulevard, one of the few colonial era mansions that have survived the turn of the century. The structure, now home to about 12...
Will the Royal family visit Britannia?
Known for his love for Queen Elizabeth and the royal family, owner of Mumbai’s Britannia restaurant Boman Kohinoor is excited about the #WillKat visit to the city this month. This is Boman Kohinoor,...
The Story of Air India’s Very First International Flight
June 8, 1998 marked the 50th anniversary of Air India's maiden international flight - a milestone in the history of Indian civil aviation. His Highness, the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, Rajpramukh of...
Zoroastrian Return To Roots 2016 Kicks Off
The 2016 Zoroastrian Return To Roots Trip started today in Mumbai. 15 Fellows from six countries will spend the next 13 days experiencing Parsi Zoroastrian India. Participants from USA, Canada, UK,...