This is an edited version of Teesta Setalvad’s acceptance speech on being conferred the Nani A Palkhivala award, 2006 Nani Palkhivala has been described alternately as a passionate democrat, a patriot and above all a good human being. In response to one of the darkest moments this great metropolis, Mumbai, has lived through, December 1992… Continue reading Courage Under Fire: A Tribute to Nani Palkhiwala
Month: January 2007
ZAGNY Essay Competition For Children
As per brief on ZAGNY’s website. 2007 Gool Kothawala Essay Competition Topics: 1. “No, in fact, I’m Zoroastrian†(An unusual personal story about telling a new friend that you are a Zoroastrian.) 2. What I learned from my grandparent
Parzania: Death of humanity in Mahatma’s land
Film on Gujarat riots gets green signal; to be released this Friday Almost five years after Gujarat riots of February 2002, a gutsy English-language feature film that looks at the communal carnage through the eyes of a real-life Parsi couple whose only son went missing during the conflagration, is ready for release after a protracted… Continue reading Parzania: Death of humanity in Mahatma’s land
Safe in Poonawalla’s hands
Dara Bhesania: Life at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse
It’s not just the members, horses, trainers and jockeys who make things happen at the Mahalaxmi Race Course. There are many others who play vital roles in their own capacity. Sadly, limelight eludes them, though they deserve the laurels. One of them is Dara Bhesania, the supervisor in the judge’s box. This 71-year-old Parsi Zoroastrian’s… Continue reading Dara Bhesania: Life at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse
Yazdani Bakery Fights Inflation and Globalization
The nearly century-old bakery, set amid crowded streets lined by massive stone Victorian-era buildings near the city’s Stock Exchange, looks like a gingerbread house and stands out in sharp contrast to the other shops, which mainly sell electronics goods. Irani mans a drawer filled with soiled rupee notes and dispenses quick change and chatter with… Continue reading Yazdani Bakery Fights Inflation and Globalization
Parsi Judge in Body Building Gym Ad
One can’t say for sure if Justice B J Shethna really packed some power in the punches he allegedly rained on his colleague, Justice P B Majmudar, in Ahmedabad on January 11. But, if he really did, then Justice Majmudar should consider himself lucky that he didn’t suffer much damage. Just three days before the… Continue reading Parsi Judge in Body Building Gym Ad
Ancient religion may face extinction
This article appeared in the Boston Globe. I cannot seem to find the online direct link. However, read on… As screaming children raced around the hall in joyous play, adult workers readied food in the kitchen, while others set up chairs and tables. The holiday dinner of the Zoroastrian Association of the Greater Boston Area,… Continue reading Ancient religion may face extinction
The shy architect: Ratan Tata
Ratan Tata has transformed India’s biggest company, and done it alone CASTING about for someone to run a big family firm when a successful tyrant is due to retire is usually a troublesome business. When the firm is still controlled by the same family that founded it back when John D. Rockefeller was gobbling up… Continue reading The shy architect: Ratan Tata