It is not a part of Jammu and Kashmir or even the North East, but if an outsider is visiting Nargol, a seaside village in Valsad in south Gujarat, about 150 kms from Mumbai, he or she will need to get a background check and a permission letter. Though not officially endorsed by the district… Continue reading Nargol leads Nilekani, has own ‘UID’ for residents since 2006
News and Updates
Vispi Kapadia was awarded the prestigious Utkrusht Kreeda Marg Darshak Puruskar
Vispy Kapadia is quite a familiar name in the karate circle for his contribution to the sport. And for all his hard work, he ultimately got the recognition from the state government. Kapadia was awarded the prestigious Utkrusht Kreeda Marg Darshak Puruskar for being the best sports coach in 2008-09 by Government of Maharashtra. This… Continue reading Vispi Kapadia was awarded the prestigious Utkrusht Kreeda Marg Darshak Puruskar
Pune’s Sorabji Ratanji Patel Agiary: Temple of subdued grandeur
Demure and unassuming, Sardar Sorabji Patel Agiary in Nana Peth is quite like the Iranian and Parsi Zoroastrians who worship at this fire temple. And, although the community is arguably among the richest, the temple itself wears an austere look. The agiary (Gujarati word for house of fire’) was originally built in 1824 by Seth… Continue reading Pune’s Sorabji Ratanji Patel Agiary: Temple of subdued grandeur
Parsi Priests Challenge BPP Decision after Ban
Zoroastrian priest banned by the apex community trust challenges its decision; says he will not stop conducting rituals for mixed-marriage Parsis A Zoroastrian priest – who was banned from praying at the Towers of Silence and fire temples because he has been conducting Navjotes (initiation ceremonies) for children from mixed marriages and offering after-death prayers… Continue reading Parsi Priests Challenge BPP Decision after Ban
Playwright Meher Pestonji: Feeding Crows
The small Parsi community has often presented a universal picture, albeit with the help of Parsi writers. The latest voice to join this force belongs to Meher Pestonji. This Mumbai-based writer’s play Feeding Crows has emerged as the runner-up of BBC’s International Radio Playwriting Competition and the winner for the South Asia segment. “I came… Continue reading Playwright Meher Pestonji: Feeding Crows
Own ‘Facebook’ to spur Parsis to marry their own
Worried about outside-the-community marriages, the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) has come upon a proactive solution. It plans to launch its own youth club and a social networking website to promote interaction among the community’s youth. The initiative, says the Punchayet, will encourage youngsters to marry within the community. BPP chairperson Dinshaw Mehta said the Punchayet… Continue reading Own ‘Facebook’ to spur Parsis to marry their own
Nari Contractor reminisces about Kanga League
Nari Contractor the former India skipper and opening batsman inaugurated the 62nd edition of Mumbai’s monsoon tournament, the Strategen Dr HD Kanga cricket league on Sunday with the traditional breaking of the coconut. It brought memories for 75-year-old Contractor. "I first played in 1950 and turned out for Sassanian, Cricket Club of India and Parsi… Continue reading Nari Contractor reminisces about Kanga League
Cyrus Sahukar: In Conversation
Spirituality to me means an extremely deep connection with the forces at work around me and cannot be simply picked up from a book or manuscript or be told to you by someone. I definitely believe in God and do not think that most things that happen around us are as random as they seem.… Continue reading Cyrus Sahukar: In Conversation
3,215 new flats for Parsis on anvil
Resourceful minority communities in the city are doing all they can to keep their flock together. Close on the heels of Dawoodi Bohra spiritual leader Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin’s initiative to redevelop 270 buildings in Bhendi Bazaar and rehouse 25,000 residents—mainly Bohra tenants—in new buildings, the Bombay Parsi Punchayat (BPP) has now unveiled its own housing… Continue reading 3,215 new flats for Parsis on anvil
