Bangalore’s explosive growth, while triggering a huge demand for living spaces, has caused an acute shortage of land for the dead. The pressure on graveyards is mounting. Here’s a searing look at the problem, made worse by the poorly maintained burial grounds. In a city where thousands of people struggle for a place to live,… Continue reading Bangalore Dakhma Dysfunctional
Category: Issues
Planning Commission Still to OK Scheme for Parsi Population Decline
The Planning Commission has not given "in-principle" nod to a Central government scheme aimed at containing the population decline of Parsi community, the government told the Lok Sabha today. The National Family Health Survey reported that the fertility rate of the community for India is only 0.94. "A scheme for containing population decline of small… Continue reading Planning Commission Still to OK Scheme for Parsi Population Decline
Sanjan Day Celebrated amidst controversey
Below are two article on the recent Sanjan Day Celebrations. Conversion issue mars Sanjan Day celebrations Published by DNA India / Manoj R Nair The issue of religious conversions raging in the Parsi-Zoroastrian community almost stalled the annual Sanjan Day celebrations that commemorate their arrival from Persia about 1,300 years ago. Over a thousand… Continue reading Sanjan Day Celebrated amidst controversey
Udvada: The Land Controversey
It’s a change of different sort, a not-so-nice one, where one of the world’s most ancient religions finds its nook of worship threatened. Parsi-Irani Zoroastrians in India and around the world have been a worried lot after 200 acres of lush agricultural land in the backyard of Udvada’s sacred fire temple were handed over to… Continue reading Udvada: The Land Controversey
India’s religious community in irreversible decline
Parsis are an ethnic community in India that follow the Zoroastrian religion. They are originally from Fars in Iran and had migrated to Western India more than 800 years ago. They are an essential part of India’s cultural fabric and diversity but are perhaps the only community outside Europe to have experienced population and fertility… Continue reading India’s religious community in irreversible decline
Vada Dasturji Meherjirana on the Udvada Land Issue
Below is a message from Vada Dasturji K N Dastur Meherji Rana on the Udvada Land Issue received via email from Kaizad F Keravala. The matter of the Udvada land near Paak Iranshah Atash-Beheram has reached the judiciary and is pending before the Gujarat Revenue Tribunal, Ahmedabad. We, the six Vada (Chief) Dasturs are trying… Continue reading Vada Dasturji Meherjirana on the Udvada Land Issue
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 is its oldest and holiest consecrated fire, the Iranshah, which has been looked after day… Continue reading Proposed industrial zone near Udvada fire temple angers Parsis
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Approached to Resolve Udvada Land Issue
Parsis to approach Modi to save their first settlement Community fears non-agricultural status of holy land in Udvada may herald industrialisation The threat of industrialisation of Udvada, considered a heritage site by the Parsis, has worried the community members. It was at Udvada that the Parsis first settled down permanently — around 500 years ago… Continue reading Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Approached to Resolve Udvada Land Issue
Now, Parsis take conservatism debate to Facebook
“You, Parsis, have a great responsibility to carry your faith to the next generation safely. But it’s hard to stick by these rules…Most young people would get frustrated by them and some may even leave the faith because of this,” reads a comment by a Pakistani on a Facebook group, Parsi Against Conservatism (PAC). By… Continue reading Now, Parsis take conservatism debate to Facebook
