IN 1865, Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata – a one-time opium trader and scion of a sparkling line of Parsee priests, Zoroastrians who had fled to western India from persecution in Iran – attended a lecture in Manchester given by Thomas Carlyle. Carlyle, a cantankerous Scot, was known for his historical and philosophical essays, but he also… Continue reading Rolling in gold but still poverty-stricken
News and Updates
Save the Tehmulji Nursing Home
In the recent weeks, there has been news about the selling off of a very important Parsi heritage building. The Temulji Lying In hospice has for generations been the first point of entry into the world for many a Parsi. Most of our parents and grandparents in the 60+ age group were born there. However… Continue reading Save the Tehmulji Nursing Home
BMC again eyes Bandra agiary land
The Parsi agiary on Hill Road, Bandra (west), is in danger of losing its porch and part of its compound yet again. The civic administration is making another effort to acquire land for widening parts of Hill Road from the existing 60 to 90 feet. Last year, the civic administration backed off from acquiring land… Continue reading BMC again eyes Bandra agiary land
Penaz Masani: Crooning Glory
A Parsi who didn’t know Urdu, Penaz Masani went on to carve a niche for herself in the male-dominated ghazal domain. The singer talks about her over 25-year-old musical journey For ghazal lovers, there is some good news as Penaz Masani’s new ghazal album called “Penaz: A Live Story” is to be launched soon. The… Continue reading Penaz Masani: Crooning Glory
Tower of Silence trees to stay
Assuring the protection of the trees in the Towers of Silence, the Zoroastrian crematorium, better known as Doongerwadi, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday asked the BMC to submit an undertaking to the court stating that no trees would be cut or damaged because of the double decker hoarding erected at the heritage precinct. Activist… Continue reading Tower of Silence trees to stay
Numbers down, but not their spirit
Numbers down, but not their spirit Family planning, migration, restrictions on conversion are reasons behind decline in Parsi population. Kolkata, June 21: Some thirty years ago, they were 4,000. Now, the count has dropped to a measly 750. However, that does not discourage the spirited Parsi community in Kolkata. The close-knit Zoroastrian community comprises people… Continue reading Numbers down, but not their spirit
Thrity Umrigar: If Today Be Sweet
A Disquieting Clash of Cultures In a wintry suburb of Cleveland, a recently widowed Parsi named Tehmina has come from her apartment in Bombay to visit — maybe to live with — her only son, Sorab, and his American wife, Susan. The couple have a 7-year-old child nicknamed Cookie, on whom Tehmina dotes. If this… Continue reading Thrity Umrigar: If Today Be Sweet
Scholarship scheme for minorities
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Thursday approved a centrally-sponsored scheme of merit-cum-means based scholarship for students from minority communities. It will be launched in the current financial year and target 20,000 scholarships a year. Union Minister and Cabinet spokesperson P. Chidambaram said the scheme would be applicable to students from minority communities who… Continue reading Scholarship scheme for minorities
Protests against hoarding at Tower of Silence
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
