Month: October 2010 Articles

Proposed industrial zone near Udvada fire temple angers Parsis

A land transaction in a tiny Gujarat village has caused concern among the Parsi-Irani community in Mumbai as well as the diaspora worldwide. About 200 km from the city is located Udvada, the community's most important pilgrim spot: enthroned here...
Theobroma opens in Bandra

Theobroma opens in Bandra

As patisserie Theobroma opens its second outlet we talk to owner Kainaz Messman about the toils and joys (not to mention kilos of cocoa) involved in satisfying Mumbai's sweet tooth. By Alisha Patel...

Mumbai Parsis step in defence of banned priests

The Bombay high court has admitted an appeal, filed by eminent Parsis, challenging a ban on two Zoroastrian priests from praying at the Towers of Silence because they have been conducting initiation...

Mum’s The Word On Mistry Novel

Rohinton Mistry’s novel, ‘Such a long journey’ has accidentally stumbled into a controversy, many years after its publication. It has earned the Shiv Sena’s ire and the Mumbai University (known for...

Lady With The Lens

Like most of today’s generation, you must have been introduced to her photographs in those boring history textbooks. Homai Vyarawall , 97, a Gujarat-born photographer, captured some of Delhi’s...

The Tatas Without Ratan

The Tatas Without Ratan

He's packing his bags -- again. December 2012, when he turns 75, is the third scheduled retirement for Ratan Tata. The Tata Group has been at this inflection point twice earlier, and stepped back...

Don’t take my book away

Don’t take my book away

A Mumbai University student responds to the Shiv Sena’s syllabus censorship. I am just another Mumbaikar who has lived all his life in the suburbs. The 50-minute Harbour Line local train journey...

Parsis say no to conversion

A gang of Mexican drug smugglers, a sect of Brazilian nudists, a group of paedophiles__they have all professed to be Zoroastrians. Shocked and to stop such "infiltrations", about 35...

Parsis debate race vs religion

In February, Russian Zoroastrian Michael Chistyakov rubbed several orthodox Indian Parsi leaders the wrong way when he came to Gujarat to become a religious priest. He returned to Russia almost...

Ervad Khushru Madon Sends Mail For Support

Below is a news article about an email that Ervad Khushru Madon sent a few days ago to various news organizations and community websites. The actual contents of the email are below the article....

Stories from the Persian crypt

An art of Persian storytelling that saw stories of magic, warfare and adventures. An art that was immensely popular in India in the 16th century, but witnesses a slow death. But thanks to people...

Cyrus Sahukar In Conversation

Cyrus Sahukar In Conversation

Cyrus Sahukar is an MTV VJ and actor whose claim to fame was Semi Girebaal, a spoof on Simi Garewal. He is funny , witty and a deadly Parsi -Punjabi combination. His brief stint with cinema began...

Neville Wadia, T20 and World Records

Neville Wadia, T20 and World Records

Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid... rethink your national Twenty20 priorities. For all those who thought the shortest format of the game is only a young man’s cup of tea, well, it’s just...

Parsi Biceps on View

Parsi Biceps on View

The Parsis in Mumbai are known for their gusto in everything — be it their food or their festivals. This closely-guarded community which calls Mumbai its home is assumed to be in its decline. By...