The Parsis of India are a unique community, but their numbers are declining fast. In an effort to change this, the government is spending $1.5m to encourage them to have more children. Persis Aspi Kamakhan still cannot believe her luck. She clucks and coos at her baby daughter, Hufriya, as she tries to dress her… Continue reading How India makes Parsi babies
Category: Issues
Spotlight’s on khandias, the Parsi ‘untouchables’
Sam Vesuna was 19 when he became a pallbearer at the Parsi Towers of Silence at Malabar Hill. Today, bodies laid to rest in the roofless towers putrefy below solar panels, but at that time, hungry birds of prey still slouched along their stone walls. Article by Nergish Sunavala | Times of India “When I… Continue reading Spotlight’s on khandias, the Parsi ‘untouchables’
Clarification with regard to consequences of the Settlement of 17th February 2015 in the Ban on Priests Case
On 27th April 2015, the Hon’ble Supreme Court approved the Settlement arrived at in February 2015 between Messrs. Kanga and Khusrokhan and the BPP Trustees. The following is the factual position on the above subject. This clarification is being issued in order to remove all doubts and misunderstandings on the subject both for the benefit… Continue reading Clarification with regard to consequences of the Settlement of 17th February 2015 in the Ban on Priests Case
Oh Khodai: Parsis in Ahmedabad
A bawa wearing a white bandhgala coat with cylindrical black hat driving a gorgeous vintage car overloaded with a garadraped wife and squabbling kids: that’s how films in the early ’80s portrayed the Parsi Zoroastrian community. Cut to 2015, and the picture is quite the opposite. As per data received from the Parsi Panchayat in… Continue reading Oh Khodai: Parsis in Ahmedabad
Parsis: Keeping the Flame Alive
The world’s longest continually-burning flame, found in Udvada, a town in Gujarat, is the most important pilgrimage site for the Parsis of India. Parsis have lived in the country for 1,200 years after fleeing Muslim persecution, but now their future is in doubt. The traditionalist, older Parsis believe in the purity of the race and… Continue reading Parsis: Keeping the Flame Alive
Flyways of fortune
The Zoroastrian diaspora as we know it today is spread across the globe. As a mercantile community the Parsis have been traders and no place was considered too far or too dangerous to venture, if it meant we could trade with the other. Article by Teenaz Javat | DAWN, Pakistan Towards the middle part of… Continue reading Flyways of fortune
Activist’s Idea of Composting Bodies as an Alternative to Dokhmenashini
With vultures fighting for their survival, the Zoroastrian community finds itself at a crossroad. A Parsi community activist has triggered a debate by suggesting an alternative method to dispose off the dead. Homi Dalal, 71, an Andheri resident, has written to the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), suggesting that they should allow composting of bodies, instead… Continue reading Activist’s Idea of Composting Bodies as an Alternative to Dokhmenashini
Can marriage deprive women of their religion? Parsi woman asks Supreme Court of India
Can a woman be prohibited from practising her religion if she marries a man from a different religion? Is she bound to follow her husband’s religion? Can her religious places bar her from offering prayers if she marries outside the community? Article by Dhananjay Mahapatra | Times of India These are some of the questions… Continue reading Can marriage deprive women of their religion? Parsi woman asks Supreme Court of India
Bawas and Babies
Coming from an ancient movie projector, the image is shaky and scratchy. Kajol and Anil Kapoor’s marriage seems beset with problems. But, that does not stop the usual Bollywood song and dance routine in Hum Aap Ke Dil Me Rehte Hain (1999). Article by Kallol Bhattacherjee | Manorama Online When the lights come on, reality… Continue reading Bawas and Babies
