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 fire temple, the Parsi Anju Amman Baug, where Parsis are the only worshippers. This sacred temple, which is… Continue reading Kozikhode: Parsi culture still has its fire glowing
Category: History
Jamsheed Marker: Indians were furious we managed to secure the Americans first
Sitting with, and listening to, Jamsheed Marker is a fulfilling experience. History, diplomacy, anecdotes about politicians, music, culture, and a lot of cricket — he enlightens his audience in many ways. At 94, he possesses a remarkable memory and speaks coherently even though his physical weakness has bound him to a wheelchair. Article by Syed… Continue reading Jamsheed Marker: Indians were furious we managed to secure the Americans first
The obscure religion that shaped the West
Talk of ‘us’ and ‘them’ has long dominated Iran-related politics in the West. At the same time, Christianity has frequently been used to define the identity and values of the US and Europe, as well as to contrast those values with those of a Middle Eastern ‘other’. Yet, a brief glance at an ancient religion… Continue reading The obscure religion that shaped the West
Navrozji Fardunji, 19th-century reformer and the great son whom India forgot too soon
Today is the 200th birth anniversary of the academic, activist and freedom fighter who contributed immensely to the rise of the nationalist movement. March 10 marks the 200th birth anniversary of one of the most influential figures to emerge from western India during the 19th century, one who played an outsized role in the political… Continue reading Navrozji Fardunji, 19th-century reformer and the great son whom India forgot too soon
The Real Mrs Jinnah: New Book Offers Insights Into the Fascinating Life of Ruttie Petit
“What put it into her silly little head to suddenly fall in love with a man old enough to be her father?” mused Sarojini Naidu’s son Jaisoorya, in a letter to his sister Padmaja. He was referring to a scandal that had shaken Bombay’s high society and political circles in 1916, when Muhammad Ali Jinnah,… Continue reading The Real Mrs Jinnah: New Book Offers Insights Into the Fascinating Life of Ruttie Petit
Ardeshir Godrej: Founder of a Billion Dollar Indian Business Empire
This Man Laid the Foundation of a Billion-Dollar Made-In-India Business Empire in Colonial Times Rome wasn’t built in a day, as the popular saying goes. Some of the world’s biggest businesses are, in fact, the culmination of decades of hard work and perseverance. Such is the story of the Godrej Group, one of India’s most… Continue reading Ardeshir Godrej: Founder of a Billion Dollar Indian Business Empire
Family matters: Raghu Karnad and the Calicut Parsis
On the Calicut seafront, Raghu Karnad traces the lingering stories of the Parsis who lived there, including a thrice-great-grandmother It’s soon after sunrise, and women in burqas are power-walking on the Calicut seafront. Their stride is long and they swing their arms up higher than their shoulders, so their burqas pull out into shapes—triangles and… Continue reading Family matters: Raghu Karnad and the Calicut Parsis
