Parsis are protesting against a hoarding that has come up on the premises of the sacred Tower of Silence at Doongerwadi–declared a green belt and a heritage site by the Supreme Court. Accusing the Bombay Parsi Panchayat (BPP) of commercialising the sacred place, community members allege that the double-decker hoarding violates the Supreme Court order.… Continue reading Protests against hoarding at Tower of Silence
Category: Issues
Funeral billboards raise cash, ire in India
Some might see the towering billboards that rise out of a centuries-old Bombay funeral ground as a message from beyond the grave. But the signs — which exhort motorists to “Rev up your night life” by buying a popular car — have bitterly divided the city’s Parsi community since they were erected last week, with… Continue reading Funeral billboards raise cash, ire in India
Vulture breeding plan shelved
The world’s first vulture breeding programme for a socio-religious purpose has been shelved. Parsis are traditionally laid to rest in Mumbai’s Tower of Silence where vultures (now endangered) devour their dead bodies. But scientists from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) say that the breeding programme, which would have cost Rs 1 crore, would have… Continue reading Vulture breeding plan shelved
Concern Over Delhi’s Dwindling Parsi Population
Delhi Minorities Panel plans to meet Parsi families New Delhi, May. 17 (PTI): Concerned over the declining population of Parsi community in the Capital, Delhi Minorities Commission is planning to meet the Parsi families here to assess their alround growth. “We would soon meet each Parsi family in the city and try to resolve the… Continue reading Concern Over Delhi’s Dwindling Parsi Population
Lose the vultures, and lose the soul
By Bachi Karkaria As an Indian Parsi Zoroastrian, I’m proud to belong to a tiny minority widely admired for its material success and its philanthropy. But I feel a closing sense of siege. The vicissitudes of modern life are threatening our group’s ethnic identity and ancient ways. The vulture, our main accomplice in death for… Continue reading Lose the vultures, and lose the soul
Bringing up the mediums: Parsi Mobeds
Parents make the heartbreaking decision to send their children to residential schools for various material reasons. It’s seldom for a cause. But last year, parents of 30 Parsi children decided that the cause of serving the community was worthy enough. So they packed them off, some of them only about six years old, to the… Continue reading Bringing up the mediums: Parsi Mobeds
Zoroastrianism dying out in modern times
Many young boys being trained as priests will instead follow other careers Like most 12-year-old boys, Rayan Dastoor watches movies, goes to school and surfs the Internet for the latest tunes by Linkin Park. But Rayan also spends five hours a day in prayer sessions and religious studies. His homework includes memorizing sacred scriptures in… Continue reading Zoroastrianism dying out in modern times
